Longevity Protein Klotho May Protect Against Cognitive Decline in Parkinson's
Graded Preliminary — genetic association in two Parkinson's cohorts, with causal effects shown only in transgenic mice and cell studies, not yet in people.
This study suggests klotho-related therapies could one day target cognitive decline in Parkinson's.
People with Parkinson's disease who carry a specific variant of the klotho gene tended to perform better on executive thinking tasks across two separate groups. In mice engineered to model Parkinson's, boosting klotho levels improved brain function and reduced alpha-synuclein (a toxic protein that builds up in Parkinson's). The cognitive benefits showed up without improving motor symptoms. Lab experiments suggested klotho may work by helping brain cells clear that toxic protein more effectively.
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