Synuclein and the Coelacanth. The Molecular and Evolutionary Origins of Parkinson's Disease

Table of Contents

1. Out of the Depths The synuclein proteins, their evolution, and the genetic code2. Bad News, Good News The demographics and genetic and environmental risk factors for Parkinson's disease 3. The Family Tremor REM sleep behaviour disorder and essential tremor 4. The Knockout The history of the knockout mouse and the surprising results for the synuclein proteins 5. Shapeshifter The molecular structure and normal biological role of synuclein in neurons 6. A New Kind of Pathogen Prion diseases and amyloid fibrils 7. Addicts Neurotoxins that cause parkinsonism and the search for analogues in the environment 8. Attack of the Oligomers Alpha-synuclein amyloid oligomers and their pathogenic roles 9. An Evolutionary Affair The connection between Gaucher disease and Parkinson's disease 10. Monkey Brains Evolution of the human brain and the vulnerability of the substantia nigra 11. A Troublesome Subject Exploring the possible connection between intelligence and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases 12. Appendix Alpha-synuclein in the gut, Crohn's disease, and the possible protective role of the synucleins in innate immune response 13. Circuitry The discovery of neural pathways involved in Parkinson's disease and deep brain stimulation 14. Seeking a Magic Bullet The search for new Parkinson's disease therapeutic agents 15. Journey's End A recap of the chapters, the final conclusions, and new directions to explore

Authors

James M. Gruschus Molecular Biophysicist, Staff Scientist, Laboratory of Structural Biophysics, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. James M. Gruschus is a molecular biophysicist with a Ph.D. in physics from Cornell University. He is currently employed as a staff scientist in the Laboratory of Structural Biophysics, National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, and resides in Washington, DC.