Overview

The Neurobiology of Parkinson's Disease Laboratory led by Pamela J. McLean, Ph.D., focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuroregeneration in Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia and related disorders. Parkinson's disease is the most common movement disorder, affecting approximately 1 percent of the general population in the United States. It is characterized clinically by the appearance of tremor, slowed movement and speech (bradykinesia), muscle rigidity, and postural instability.

Pathologically, the disease presents as a loss of neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to a loss in the neurotransmitter dopamine as well as the presence of protein accumulations inside neurons called Lewy bodies in affected brain regions. Sporadic Parkinson's disease accounts for 90 to 95 percent of instances and is thought to be due to a combination of environmental and complicated genetic factors. The remaining 5 to 10 percent is due to specific gene mutations in one of multiple genes associated with the disease.

The first gene to be genetically linked to Parkinson's disease is the alpha-synuclein gene, which encodes a protein called alpha-synuclein. Alpha-synuclein is a small, presynaptic protein that misfolds and accumulates in Lewy bodies in the brain.

Dr. McLean and her colleagues develop and use cell-based and animal models to study the role of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease and the related Lewy body dementia. Research projects focus on understanding the improper folding and aggregation of alpha-synuclein that occurs in the disease process.

The lab uses cell and animal models as powerful tools to study what causes alpha-synuclein to aggregate and accumulate in cells, as well as to explore ways to remove the abnormal protein and protect the cells. Ultimately the goal is to translate research findings into new therapies for people who experience these devastating diseases.

Affiliations

Dr. McLean's lab is affiliated with several other areas at Mayo Clinic.

About Dr. McLean

Pamela J. McLean, Ph.D., is a professor of neuroscience at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Florida. She is also the director of the Ph.D. Program's neuroscience track and associate director of the Medical Scientist Training Program (M.D.-Ph.D.) at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The goal of her research is to develop new disease modifying therapies for patients struggling with neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia and multiple systems atrophy.