Mechanisms of protein seeding in neurodegenerative diseases

A growing body of data indicates that the propagation of pathogenic protein aggregates across neural systems, and hence the disruption of function of those neural systems, might be mediated by misfolded protein seeds that are released and taken up by anatomically connected neurons. If so, blocking this process may help arrest the progression of disease. In light of the growing spectrum of disorders involving the accumulation and spread of misfolded proteins, efforts to detect pathogenic protein aggregates and impede their movement between cells could change how we diagnose and treat neurodegenerative diseases.