Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by a wide range of non-motor symptoms and motor abnormalities. The loss of certain brain neurons is the cause of these symptoms. Even though some of these symptoms are treatable, no disease-modifying treatments exist to stop neurodegeneration. Studies on pathophysiology and genetics have shed important light on the possible cause(s) of neurodegeneration, and these, in turn, have stimulated fascinating new research into the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. We aim to provide a thorough review of the molecular processes behind the pathways in this special issue, ranging from alpha-synuclein propagation to mitochondrial quality and endolysosomal pathway impairment.