Alpha synuclein is widely viewed as one of the bad guys in Parkinson’s. The clustering and aggregation of this protein is one of the main pathological hallmarks of the condition. Researchers led by scientists at the Scripps Research institute in Florida have developed a new drug-like compound that selectively prevents the production of alpha synuclein protein. They have called their new compound “synucleozid“. In today’s post, we will look at what alpha synuclein is, what synucleozid does, and how this approach could potentially help in treating Parkinson’s.
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In a recent SoPD post, we discussed research focused on levodopa-induced dyskinesias which was led by scientists from the Scripps Research Institute (Click here to read that post). The Scripps is the largest private, not-for-profit medical research facility in the United States and among the largest in the world.
It is headquartered in La Jolla, California, but interesting fact: It has a sister facility in Jupiter, Florida.
Scripps Research in Jupiter. Source: Weitz
Officially opened on February 26th 2009, the establishment of the Scripps Florida campus was made possible by a one-time US$310 million federal economic development fund. The institute now survives on research grants, gifts, and contracts. In the future, some of the funding may also come from royalties generated by intelluctual property based on medical discoveries made at the facilities.
And some of those medical discoveries may involve novel ways to treat Parkinson’s.
Really? Such as?
Recently a research team led by Professor Matthew Disney published a report that takes an interesting approach towards trying to tackle Parkinson’s.
Professor Matthew Disney. Source: Scripps
What does it involve?
It involves reducing levels of the Parkinson’s associated protein alpha synuclein.
What is alpha synuclein?
Continue reading “Disney’s “Attack of the synucleozid from Jupiter””