Alpha-Synuclein Pathology in Parkinson Patients and Models
Alpha-synuclein aggregates are the major component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, the neuropathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease. Alpha-synuclein pathology is not only present in Parkinson patients but also common in unimpaired elderly. It is proposed that alpha-synuclein pathology initially affects the medulla oblongata and progresses to more rostral brain areas in a hierarchical sequence in Parkinson's disease ("Braak hypothesis"). However, other distribution patterns of alpha-synuclein pathology are also observed in elderly. The clinical relevance of the pattern(s) of alpha-synuclein pathology in elderly are discussed in the present satellite. Protocols for staging and typing alpha-synuclein pathology in elderly are presented.
Numerous animal models based on alpha-synuclein overexpression, primarily through genetic methods in mice and viral vectors in rats have been development to study the formation of alpha-synuclein aggregates and toxicity. In transgenic mice, region-specific alpha-synuclein pathology correlated with selective behavioral impairments, such as locomotor and cognitive dysfunction. Rapid degeneration is observed after viral transduction. Different promoters, transgenes and viral vectors, however, lead to a wide variety of phenotypes. The predictive value of in vivo and in vitro models for alpha-synuclein aggregation and toxicity are discussed in the afternoon session of the satellite. Moreover, pathways involved in the alpha-synuclein aggregate formation and toxicity are presented.
The aim of the satellite symposium is to highlight the clinical relevance of alpha-synuclein pathology in elderly and review the predictive value of models for Parkinson's disease. To this end, leading experts will be brought together to illuminate important aspects for staging of alpha-synuclein pathology in elderly and modelling of alpha-synuclein aggregation in vivo and in vitro.
This satellite is a platform for clinicians, pathologists, neuroscientists, students and others to meet and discuss new insights in the progression of Parkinson's disease. Postdocs and PhD students may present their work during the poster session.
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED!
Few seats are still available for onsite registration. Please contact the organizers if you want to participate via
parkinsonsymposium@vumc.nl
Abstract submission is closed
Standard abbreviations may be used. Abstracts must be submitted in English using Times new Roman size 12. The length of the abstract should not exceed 250 words, excluding title, authors and affiliations.
This Parkinson symposium is held in room A301 and A311 in the Medical Faculty, which is only 3 kilometres from the location of the FENS, the Amsterdam RAI Convention center. The VU University is easily reached by public transport from Schiphol airport or the central station by tram 51, 5, 16 or 24 or by train to station Amsterdam Zuid. Amsterdam has easy, frequent and regular daily transport lines by air, train and road within Europe and by air worldwide. See for more details .
WIFI is available onsite at the VU University of Amsterdam.
Rooms A301 and A311 and D-level restaurant
Medical Faculty (faculteit der Geneeskunde)
Van der Boechorststraat 7
1081 BT Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 20 5985864
Venue Reception:
Grand Café The Basket
Campus Grand Café behind the main building of the VU University
De Boelelaan 1105
1081 HV Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 20 5983333
VU Website General Information
How to get to VU University Amsterdam
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Organizing Committee
W.D.J. van de Berg, PhD - VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam
A.M.W. van Dam, PhD - VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam
E-mail: parkinsonsymposium@vumc.nl
Tel.: +31 20 4448040
Fax: +31 20 4448054