Archive · 30 Jun 2025
Study Suggests: Kidneys May Play Role in Parkinson's
Scientists are studying if Parkinson's disease, which harms the brain, might actually start in the kidneys.
They found a protein called α-Syn that clumps up in both the brain and kidneys of people with Parkinson's.
These clumps may travel from the kidneys to the brain.
In tests, mice with kidney problems had these clumps spread to their brains, but when the connection between the brain and kidneys was cut, it didn't happen.
Also, less of this protein in the blood meant less brain damage, hinting at another way the disease could spread.
This could change how doctors understand and treat Parkinson's.
Study suggests Parkinson's may originate in the kidneys.
Researchers found α-Syn protein clumps in the kidneys of Parkinson's patients and those with chronic kidney disease.
Mice with kidney dysfunction showed α-Syn accumulation spreading to the brain.
Severing nerve connections prevented the spread of α-Syn from kidneys to the brain in mice.
Reduced blood α-Syn levels correlated with decreased brain damage.
- Who
- Researchers at Wuhan University studied α-Syn protein in mice and human tissue samples, including Parkinson’s and chronic kidney disease patients.
- What
- A study suggesting that Parkinson's disease may originate in the kidneys.
- When
- Information not available in the article.
- Where
- The study was conducted by a team from Wuhan University in China.
- Why
- To understand if the kidneys are an early site for the build-up of harmful α-Syn proteins, potentially triggering Parkinson's disease.
Current Understanding
New Research Perspective
Origin of Parkinson's
Current Understanding
Parkinson's disease is primarily a neurological disorder.
New Research Perspective
The kidneys could be an origin point or an early site in Parkinson's.
- Study Focus
- Role of kidneys in Parkinson's disease
- Key Protein
- α-Synuclein (α-Syn)
- Findings in Parkinson's Patients
- α-Syn clumps found in kidneys of 10 out of 11 patients.
- Findings in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
- α-Syn clumps found in kidneys of 17 of 20 patients.
- Mice Experiments
- Kidney dysfunction led to α-Syn spread to the brain.