Potential Role for Extracellular Vesicles in Parkinson Disease

Could CSF extracellular vesicles from human Parkinson disease result in a similar disease in mice?

Misfolded α-synuclein in the form of intraneuronal Lewy bodies is one of the hallmarks of Parkinson disease (PD). The transcellular prion-like spread via secretion of extracellular vesicles has been of great interest. This study examined spread of α-synuclein protein in olfactory bulb using an extracellular vesicle mechanism. Extracellular vesicles from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with PD were given to a cohort of healthy mice via an intranasal route once every 4 days.

At 3 months, the mice receiving human PD vesicles had hyposmia, motor behavioral issues, and significant anxiety levels according to the behavioral tests. Pathology, examined at 8 months, revealed widespread α-synuclein aggregation in the midbrain region and dopamine…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)