Parkinson's disease
Summary
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra, alpha-synuclein aggregation (Lewy bodies), and motor and non-motor symptoms. Neuroinflammation driven by microglia is a prominent feature of Parkinson's disease pathology.
Microglial Relevance
Activated microglia are found in proximity to degenerating dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease brain. Alpha-synuclein aggregates activate microglial NLRP3 inflammasome and trigger proinflammatory cytokine production. LRRK2, the most common genetic cause of familial Parkinson's disease, is expressed in microglia and regulates vesicular trafficking and inflammatory signaling. GBA1 variants associated with Parkinson's disease risk affect lysosomal function in microglia. GPNMB is elevated in PD brain, consistent with lipid storage defects in microglia. Spatial transcriptomic studies show microglial activation signatures co-localizing with neuronal loss in substantia nigra.
Sources
- Microglial activation in Parkinson's disease (2016)
Last reviewed: June 1, 2026