Ascending Investigator 2024
Susana Aznar
Microglia and a-synuclein strain effects in Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple System Atrophy
Director of center for Neuroscience and Stereology
Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) are neurodegenerative disorders caused by the aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain. PD progresses slowly, but MSA leads to death within five to six years. The existence of distinct α-syn strains in PD and MSA may explain this. We believe MSA strains are harder for brain immune cells to clear, causing aberrant inflammation. Using advanced techniques, we will test this and explore potential treatments to improve α-syn clearance.
