Researchers at The Neuro of McGill University have successfully recreated the development of Lewy bodies, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, in human neurons using stem cells. They discovered that an immune challenge is an essential factor in this process, shedding light on a previously unknown link between the immune system and neurological diseases. By studying the formation of Lewy bodies in real-time, they found that a combination of alpha-synuclein and an immune response is necessary for their formation, and that this effect is specific to dopaminergic neurons. This study provides crucial insights into Lewy body formation and structure, which could inform future drug development for Parkinson’s and related neurological conditions.
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Scientists use stem cells to recreate a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease in human neurons
