title: A feedforward loop links Gaucher and Parkinson's diseases?
abstract: Mutations in the GBA gene that encodes glucocerebrosidase cause the lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher disease but also increase the risk for Parkinson's disease. Mazzulli et al. (2011) uncover a possible mechanism to explain this connection: loss of glucocerebrosidase creates a positive feedback loop of reduced lysosomal function and α-synuclein accumulation, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration.
authors: Gene Expression Unit, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3707, USA. cookson@mail.nih.gov
authors: Mark R
authors: MR
authors: Cookson