The Disease Pathogenesis of Neurodegeneration in Parkinson's Disease and Other Synucleinopathy Disorders
Submission Deadline: 10 Mar 2027
Guest Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Synucleinopathies comprise a group of progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by pathological aggregation of α-synuclein, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Although these conditions differ in clinical presentation and cellular pathology, degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and disruption of dopaminergic circuits represent a shared and central pathogenic feature, particularly in PD and DLB, and contribute to disease progression in MSA.
PD is defined by dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra and Lewy bodies, whereas DLB exhibits widespread cortical and subcortical α-synuclein accumulation accompanied by early cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. MSA is distinguished by oligodendroglial α-synuclein inclusions, leading to striatonigral degeneration and severe motor and autonomic dysfunction. The mechanisms underlying selective vulnerability across these disorders remain incompletely understood.
Recent studies suggest that synucleinopathies arise from interconnected pathogenic networks involving mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress linked to dopamine metabolism, impaired autophagy–lysosomal pathways, disrupted lipid homeostasis, and chronic neuroinflammation. Genetic findings implicating SNCA, LRRK2, GBA, and related genes highlight both shared and disease-specific molecular determinants. Importantly, dopaminergic neurodegeneration occurs within broader neural network dysfunction, with contributions from non-dopaminergic neurons and glial cells, especially in DLB and MSA. Advances in single-cell omics, human stem cell–derived models, and biomarker development are providing new insights into disease heterogeneity, progression, and translational opportunities.
This Special Issue aims to advance the understanding of dopaminergic neurodegeneration within the broader framework of synucleinopathies, including PD, DLB, and MSA. We welcome original research and review articles addressing molecular, cellular, and systems-level mechanisms, as well as translational strategies.
Dr. Zhi Dong Zhou
Guest Editors
Keywords
- synucleinopathies
- Parkinson’s disease
- dementia with lewy bodies
- multiple system atrophy
- dopaminergic neurodegeneration
- α-synuclein aggregation
- mitochondrial dysfunction
- autophagy-lysosomal pathway
- neuroinflammation
- biomarkers
- disease pathogenesis
- neurodegenerative disorders
Manuscript Submission Information
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