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Glucocerebrosidase and Parkinson Disease: Molecular, Clinical, and Therapeutic Implications

Balestrino, R; Schapira, AHV; (2018) Glucocerebrosidase and Parkinson Disease: Molecular, Clinical, and Therapeutic Implications. The Neuroscientist , 24 (5) pp. 540-559. 10.1177/1073858417748875. Green open access

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Abstract

Parkinson disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterised by multiple motor and non-motor symptoms. In the last 20 years, more than 20 genes have been identified as causes of parkinsonism. Following the observation of higher risk of PD in patients affected by Gaucher disease, a lysosomal disorder caused by mutations in the glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene, it was discovered that mutations in this gene constitute the single largest risk factor for development of idiopathic PD. Patients with PD and GBA mutations are clinically indistinguishable from patients with idiopathic PD, although some characteristics emerge depending on the specific mutation, such as slightly earlier onset. The molecular mechanisms which lead to this increased PD risk in GBA mutation carriers are multiple and not yet fully elucidated, they include alpha-synuclein aggregation, lysosomal-autophagy dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Moreover, dysfunction of glucocerebrosidase has also been demonstrated in non-GBA PD, suggesting its interaction with other pathogenic mechanisms. Therefore, GBA enzyme function represents an interesting pharmacological target for PD. Cell and animal models suggest that increasing GBA enzyme activity can reduce alpha-synuclein levels. Clinical trials of ambroxol, a glucocerebrosidase chaperone, are currently ongoing in PD and PD dementia, as is a trial of substrate reduction therapy. The aim of this review is to summarise the main features of GBA-PD and discuss the implications of glucocerebrosidase modulation on PD pathogenesis.

Type: Article
Title: Glucocerebrosidase and Parkinson Disease: Molecular, Clinical, and Therapeutic Implications
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1177/1073858417748875
Publisher version: http://doi.org/10.1177/1073858417748875
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: glucocerebrosidase, Parkinson disease, Lewy bodies, α-synuclein, pathogenesis, therapy, non-motor
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Clinical and Movement Neurosciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10065090
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