Central Role of α-Synuclein Oligomers in Neurodegeneration in Parkinson Disease

Selective death of nigrostriatal neurons, which leads to Parkinson disease, is explained by misfolding of brain protein α-synuclein. Herein, we review the data supporting this concept, propose a scheme of events leading to synuclein-induced neuronal death, and discuss protein deacetylase sirtuins as new potential therapeutic targets involved in this process.