Biochemist Suzanne Pfeffer is an expert on the molecular roots of Parkinson’s disease. Her work focuses on mutated proteins linked to Parkinson’s risk. She’s discovered, for instance, that drugs inhibiting one of the proteins can help neurons regrow primary cilia and stave off cell death, reversing disease progression. Since similar drugs are in clinical trials, her findings bring great hope for people with a subtype of Parkinson’s and hopefully can be linked to earlier detection through warning signs like REM sleep disruptions and loss of smell. “This is precision medicine,” Pfeffer tells host Russ Altman of the future of Parkinson’s disease on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Suzanne Pfeffer, a professor of biochemistry at Stanford University.

(00:03:25) Path into Parkinson’s Research

How Pfeffer’s protein work led to a life-changing work on Parkinson’s disease.

(00:05:28) Parkinson’s Primer

The various causes and the effects of the disease on the brain and body.

(00:10:26) Lewy Bodies and Dementia

How Lewy bodies, synuclein, and dementia relate to Parkinson’s disease.

(00:11:56) Molecular Trafficking

Pfeffer breaks down the effects of LRRK2 and GBA mutations in the brain.

(00:16:10) Early Disease Changes

Some of the early changes in the body and how they show up as symptomatically.

(00:20:04) Current Treatments

The limitations of symptom-focused treatments.

(00:21:46) Treating Earlier

Opportunities for slowing or reversing disease progression when detected earlier.

(00:22:32) Targeting LRRK2

Current research on disease treatment & trial challenges.

(00:27:33) The Value of Basic Science

Why curiosity-driven research can unexpectedly lead to disease breakthroughs.

(00:29:33) Future In a Minute

Rapid-fire Q&A: biomarkers, brain donation, and better Parkinson’s treatments.

(00:31:52) Conclusion

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