Synucleinopathies are a group of age-related neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. Most individuals are not diagnosed until these diseases have significantly progressed, as early symptoms, such as a reduced sense of smell, subtle cognitive or motor changes are too vague to serve as reliable indicators.
Aging-US Research
Synucleinopathies are age-dependent neurodegenerative diseases characterized by alpha-synuclein accumulation with distinct vulnerabilities across brain regions. Understanding early disease stages is essential to uncover initial molecular changes that might enable earlier diagnosis and causal therapy.
As people age, it is common to experience some memory lapses or slower thinking. Although this is often a normal part of aging, it can still affect a person’s quality of life. Scientists have been investigating ways to slow or prevent cognitive decline, and growing evidence points to the potential role of social interaction.