Role of Lipids in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease

Aggregation of alpha-synuclein (alpha Syn) and its accumulation as Lewy bodies play a central role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanism by which alpha Syn aggregates in the brain remains unclear. Biochemical studies have demonstrated that alpha Syn interacts with lipids, and these interactions affect the aggregation process of alpha Syn. Furthermore, genetic studies have identified mutations in lipid metabolism-associated genes such as glucocerebrosidase 1 (GBA1) and synaptojanin 1 (SYNJ1) in sporadic and familial forms of PD, respectively. In this review, we focus on the role of lipids in triggering alpha Syn aggregation in the pathogenesis of PD and propose the possibility of modulating the interaction of lipids with alpha Syn as a potential therapy for PD.