CONy 2021 | Alpha-synuclein as a therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease

Gennaro Pagano, MD, MSc, PhD, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland, King’s College London, London, UK, discusses evidence suggesting alpha-synuclein (α-syn) as a target for Parkinson’s disease treatment. The importance of the α-syn in Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis has been highlighted by both human and genetic evidence, as well as by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Mutations in the gene encoding α-syn, SNCA, have been identified in both sporadic and familial Parkinson’s disease. SNCA mutations are almost exclusive to Parkinson’s disease and result in α-syn aggregation. Several clinical trials are currently evaluating this protein as a therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease. This interview was conducted during the virtual 2021 World Congress on Controversies in Neurology (CONy).