Age-dependent α-synuclein aggregation in the Microcebus murinus lemur primate

Since age-dependent deposition of A beta-amyloid has been reported in the Microcebus murinus, we posited that this animal could as well be a model of age-related synucleinopathy. We characterized the distribution of A beta-amyloid, alpha-synuclein and two of its modified forms in the brain of Microcebus murinus aged from 1.5 to 10 years. Intracytoplasmic alpha-synuclein aggregates were observed only in aged animals in different brain regions, which were also phospho-Ser129 and nitrated alpha-synuclein immunoreactive. Age-dependent alpha-synuclein aggregation occurs spontaneously in mouse lemur primates. Microcebus murinus may provide a model to study age-associated alpha-synucleinopathy and for testing putative therapeutic interventions for both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.