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Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Decoding Mitochondrial Aging
Published on: June 30, 2023
Lysosomal Dysfunction at the Centre of Parkinson's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Rebecca L Wallings1, Stewart W Humble2, Michael E Ward3
1Department of Physiology, Emory University, Decatur, GA, USA; Current address: Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research and Neurodegenerative Disease, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Abstract:
Parkinson's disease (PD) and frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD/ALS) are insidious and incurable neurodegenerative diseases that represent a significant burden to affected individuals, caregivers, and an ageing population. Both PD and FTD/ALS are defined at post mortem by the presence of protein aggregates and the loss of specific subsets of neurons. We examine here the crucial role of lysosome dysfunction in these diseases and discuss recent evidence for converging mechanisms. This review draws upon multiple lines of evidence from genetic studies, human tissue, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and animal models to argue that lysosomal failure is a primary mechanism of disease, rather than merely reflecting association with protein aggregate end-points. This review provides compelling rationale for targeting lysosomes in future therapeutics for both PD and FTD/ALS.
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