A critical role for GM1 ganglioside in the pathophysiology and potential treatment of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of patients worldwide. While effective symptomatic therapies for PD exist, there is no currently available disease modifying agent to slow or stop the progression of the disease. Many years of research from various laboratories around the world have provided evidence in favor of the potential ability of GM1 ganglioside to be a disease modifying agent for PD. In this paper, information supporting the use of GM1 as a disease modifying therapeutic for PD is reviewed along with information concerning the role that deficiencies in GM1 ganglioside (and potentially other important brain gangliosides) may play in the pathogenesis of PD.

Automated summary

Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of patients worldwide, with no disease-modifying agent currently available to slow or stop its progression. Research suggests that GM1 ganglioside may have the potential to be a disease-modifying therapeutic for PD, and deficiencies in GM1 ganglioside could play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.