Protein Linked to Parkinson's May Accelerate Alzheimer's Progression in Women

New research shows that a protein linked to Parkinson’s disease may be a factor in the more rapid progression of Alzheimer’s disease in women, Reuters reports. The discovery could help explain why dementia often develops faster in women and may open new possibilities for future therapies.

Scientists from the Mayo Clinic report that in Alzheimer’s patients who have elevated levels of both tau protein and the protein alpha-synuclein—associated with Parkinson’s—brain changes can occur significantly faster. The results of the study were published in JAMA Network Open.

The analysis shows that in patients with elevated levels of both proteins, brain changes can develop up to 20 times faster in women than in men. According to the researchers, this suggests that alpha-synuclein may play a key role in the accelerated development of dementia in women.

The study involved 415 volunteers with Alzheimer’s disease, whose condition was monitored over time through cerebrospinal fluid testing to detect abnormal alpha-synuclein and through imaging studies to assess tau protein accumulation. Abnormal levels of alpha-synuclein were found in approximately 17% of the participants.

“When we see that disease-related changes develop at such different rates, we can no longer view Alzheimer’s as a disease that progresses in the same way for everyone,” commented the study’s senior author, Dr. Kejal Kantarci.

According to the study’s lead author, Dr. Elijah Mak, recognizing these sex-specific differences could help in the development of more targeted clinical trials and more personalized therapeutic strategies. Scientists believe that uncovering the mechanisms behind this vulnerability could lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets.