Authors: Truong Khiet Lam
Affiliation: School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia.
Date: 15 October 2025
Proteinopathy refers to a disease that arises from the abnormal aggregation of proteins in neurons or in the parenchyma, which is the functional tissue of the brain. While this aggregation may seem like a simple buildup, it actually begins with subtle conformational changes that alter a protein’s normal folding pattern. These misfolded proteins form oligomers that clump together into higher-order pathological structures, ultimately disrupting normal brain function.
A growing number of researchers believe that proteinopathy lies at the heart of many neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, is characterized by the misfolding and accumulation of two proteins: tau and amyloid-beta.
Tau proteins form tangles inside neurons, while amyloid-beta proteins form plaques outside them. Similarly, misfolded prion proteins can trigger the misfolding of healthy ones, creating a chain reaction that leads to prion disorders such as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease), proteins such as TDP-43 and SOD1 aggregate and damage motor neurons, resulting in the loss of muscular control.
Together, these examples show how a single protein’s structural error can set off a cascade of neurodegeneration. Moreover, the widespread nature of these conditions stems from the ability of misfolded proteins to propagate their abnormal forms, converting healthy proteins into toxic ones.
Prevention and Potential Treatments
It has been projected that aerobic exercise can slow down Parkinson’s disease, one of the most common proteinopathies. Likewise, a healthy diet and lifestyle are also recommended for brains to age well.
The clinical preventive method of proteinopathies would be the combined use of screening and confirmatory tests.
As for treatments, active and passive immunization has proved their therapeutic potential against neurodegenerative diseases with the use of antibodies that bind to aggregated proteins to delay the misfolding assembly or even dissolve the existing misfolded pattern.
Looking Ahead: Understanding and Protecting the Ageing Brain
Proteinopathies remain one of the most pressing public health challenges because of the irreversible damage they cause to the brain. To better understand their underlying mechanisms, more research and clinical trials are still needed. Yet, beyond scientific investigation, these disorders remind us how delicate the human brain is and how easily its balance can be disrupted. Even small changes in protein structure can lead to profound effects on memory, movement, and personality.
Ongoing studies are now exploring how early detection, personalized medicine, and the gut–brain axis could provide new ways to prevent or slow these diseases. As science continues to uncover the mechanisms behind protein misfolding, one message remains clear: caring for our brain begins long before disease sets in.
Living actively, eating well, and supporting brain research are not only healthy choices but also vital steps in protecting the most complex and remarkable organ that defines who we are.
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