npj Parkinson's Disease (Sep 2024)

Circadian disruption promotes the neurotoxicity of oligomeric alpha-synuclein in mice

  • Jin-Bao Zhang,
  • Xiao-Jie Wan,
  • Wen-Xiang Duan,
  • Xue-Qin Dai,
  • Dong Xia,
  • Xiang Fu,
  • Li-Fang Hu,
  • Fen Wang,
  • Chun-Feng Liu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-024-00798-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Circadian disruption often arises prior to the onset of typical motor deficits in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). It remains unclear whether such a prevalent non-motor manifestation would contribute to the progression of PD. Diffusible oligomeric alpha-synuclein (O-αSyn) is perceived as the most toxic and rapid-transmitted species in the early stages of PD. Exploring the factors that influence the spread and toxicity of O-αSyn should be helpful for developing effective interventions for the disease. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of circadian disruption on PD pathology and parkinsonism-like behaviors in a novel mouse model induced by O-αSyn. We discovered that O-αSyn could enter the brain rapidly following intranasal administration, resulting in the formation of nitrated-αSyn pathology and non-motor symptoms of the mice. Meanwhile, circadian disruption exacerbated the burden of nitrated-αSyn pathology and accelerated the loss of dopaminergic neurons in O-αSyn-treated mice. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that circadian disruption might act via promoting nitrative stress and neuroinflammation. These findings could highlight the circadian rhythms as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in early-stage PD.