Foldable synthetic molecules could infiltrate and bust apart the toxic protein clumps causing Parkinson’s

Researchers are finding ways to target the toxic proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s that were once considered ‘undruggable.’

By: Sunil Kumar, University of Denver, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 31, 2026

Words: 660

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

Body Text Preview

By Sunil Kumar, University of Denver

Current therapies for Parkinson’s disease and related conditions primarily treat symptoms but don’t stop the underlying process causing the disease.

Increasing evidence suggests that toxic clumps of proteins called alpha-synuclein are among the primary drivers of damage to neurons. My team and I developed a synthetic molecule that can block these proteins from clumping and spreading in the brains of mice, ultimately reducing symptoms of …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us