{"id":2550,"date":"2019-08-20T16:47:14","date_gmt":"2019-08-20T20:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parkinsonpost.com\/?p=2550"},"modified":"2019-08-20T16:47:14","modified_gmt":"2019-08-20T20:47:14","slug":"studying-proteins-to-halt-or-slow-the-progression-of-parkinsons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archiveparkinson.thedev.ca\/fr\/studying-proteins-to-halt-or-slow-the-progression-of-parkinsons\/","title":{"rendered":"Studying proteins to halt or slow the progression of Parkinson\u2019s"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"
Martin L\u00e9vesque
Associate Professor
Laval University<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

A protein called alpha-synuclein, which accumulates in clumps in the brain cells of people with Parkinson\u2019s disease, has long been the target of researchers investigating the causes of this degenerative illness. The way alpha-synuclein interacts with other proteins is thought to be the key to how Parkinson\u2019s progresses.<\/p>\n

At Laval University, Associate Professor Martin L\u00e9vesque concentrates on the relationship between alpha-synuclein and another protein called Rin. Levesque uses genetically modified mice models to increase the amount of Rin in the dopamine-generating brain cells. L\u00e9vesque\u2019s research is made possible through a Pilot Project Grant from the Parkinson Canada Research Program for $50,000 over one year.<\/p>\n

During previous tests at the cellular level, increasing Rin decreased the amount of alpha-synuclein building up in neurons.<\/p>\n

\u201cRin increases the cell\u2019s ability to get rid of toxic proteins,\u201d says L\u00e9vesque.<\/p>\n

L\u00e9vesque and other researchers believe Parkinson\u2019s results when the normal protein-clearing process in cells goes awry, allowing toxic amounts of alpha-synuclein to build up and kill the dopamine cells.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re interested in how these dopamine-producing brain cells make their connection, and what the factors are that maintain and ensure their survival,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

If Levesque and his colleagues succeed in demonstrating that increasing Rin decreases alpha-synuclein, preventing the clumps from forming and protecting neurons, they will have opened a new pathway and target for drugs.<\/p>\n

The next step in L\u00e9vesque\u2019s research will be screening for a drug that increases Rin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we could have a neuroprotective compound against the degeneration,\u201d he says. \u201cThe patient would take pills that would enhance the Rin activity and block the progression of the disease.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although there are many steps required for Levesque and his colleagues to develop a new protective drug, he believes his research is on a hopeful path.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we develop a drug \u2026 for a person who has just developed Parkinson\u2019s, it would mean they would not suffer too much from the disease. That would be the dream,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

L\u00e9vesque began his academic career with an undergraduate degree in biology. He became a neuroscientist after becoming fascinated with brain development, and studying the connectivity of dopamine in different regions of the brain.<\/p>\n

Today, his entire lab is dedicated to studying dopamine cells.  \u201cThere is no cure for Parkinson\u2019s,\u201d L\u00e9vesque says. \u201cThere\u2019s a large area of research that still has to be done to develop something that will actually block or change the progression of the disease.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A protein called alpha-synuclein, which accumulates in clumps in the brain cells of people with Parkinson\u2019s disease, has long been … En savoir plus<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":2551,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[237],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nStudying proteins to halt or slow the progression of Parkinson\u2019s - Parkinson Canada<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"fr_FR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Studying proteins to halt or slow the progression of Parkinson\u2019s - Parkinson Canada\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A protein called alpha-synuclein, which accumulates in clumps in the brain cells of people with Parkinson\u2019s disease, has long been ... 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