Parkinson's protein may accelerate Alzheimer's progression in women, study finds

A Mayo Clinic study of 415 participants found that older women with Alzheimer's who tested positive for the Parkinson's-related protein alpha-synuclein accumulated tau about 20 times faster than men with the same abnormal protein, suggesting alpha-synuclein may accelerate Alzheimer's progression in women. The findings indicate sex-specific disease trajectories and potential biomarker-guided therapies, but replication is needed before changing treatment approaches.