Some cases of Parkinson's disease are associated with alterations of the protein PINK1 (PTEN-induced putative kinase 1) but until now the brain repercussions associated with this dysfunction were not known. Scientists from the laboratory of Neurogenetics of the research center Applied Medicine (CIMA) and the department of Neurology of the University of Barcelona have discovered that, when alterations in PINK1 protein are altered, the brain is more susceptible to the effects of this dysfunction. Clínica Universidad de Navarra have discovered that when the PINK1 protein is altered, Lewy bodies are produced in the brain. these are found in the brains of Parkinson's patients and are formed by fibrillar deposits of abnormal proteins. The work, carried out in partnership with the Institut de Neuropatologia del Hospital de Bellvitge (Hospitalet del Llobregat) and the Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), has been published in the prestigious international journal Brain. Its authors are Lluís Samaranch, Oswaldo Lorenzo-Betancor, José M. Arbelo, Isidre Ferrer, Elena Lorenzo, Jaione Irigoyen, María A. Pastor, Carmen Marrero, Concepción Isla, Joanna Herrera-Henríquez and Pau Pastor.

The researchers used immunohistochemistry techniques with anti-a-synuclein antibodies to visualize brain Lewy bodies. "We now know what happens at the brain level when the PINK1 protein is altered. Specifically, it is possible that it triggers the autophagy cascade, increases mitochondrial dysfunction and promotes the deposition of a-synuclein in the form of Lewy bodies," says Dr. Pau Pastor, manager of the laboratory of Neurogenetics at CIMA, neurologist at Clínica Universidad de Navarra and director of work.

In the opinion of researcher, "the fact that the brain deposits produced by the dysfunction of this protein are similar to those usually associated with Parkinson's disease suggests that therapies that adequately preserve PINK1 function could be useful in this neurodegenerative pathology. We believe that this finding will allow us to better understand the early brain alterations of Parkinson's disease and to develop new treatments. In addition, I would like to highlight the effort of all the co-authors of the study, especially the young researchers Lluís Samaranch and Oswaldo Lorenzo-Betancor. This work demonstrates the capacity of partnership between national research groups and the potential of science in our country to produce relevant results".