BUFFALO, NY — September 9, 2026 — A new research paper was published in Volume 18 of Aging on August 13, 2026, titled “Protective effects of three herbal extracts on mitochondrial dysfunction in VPS13C-knockdown SH-SY5Y cells: implications for Parkinson’s disease.”

Parkinson’s disease is expected to cause a substantial economic burden from 2020 to 2040, amounting to 473 billion CNY in constant 2024 prices, which represents 0.017% of projected GDP in China. Utilizing a health-augmented macroeconomic model across 31 provinces, researchers found that disease-induced reductions in physical capital accumulation outweigh labor supply declines in most regions. The findings support tailored prevention and long-term care strategies.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor and psychiatric symptoms. Accumulating evidence has implicated mitochondrial dysfunction as a hallmark of PD; however, its underlying mechanisms, and particularly the role of individual mitochondrial complex I subunits in disease pathogenesis, remain poorly understood.

Scientists have identified many genes associated with Parkinson’s disease risk and progression, but understanding how they contribute to the disease remains a major challenge. To help address that gap, The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) and the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) have been awarded a $4.6 million grant to develop standardized research tools that will help researchers better understand how genetic factors associated with the disease affect the health and function of brain cells.

Researchers from the University of Osaka found that amyloid formation is promoted by a combination of shear stress and constrained geometry in an in vitro model of amyloidogenic light chain disease. Applying mechanical agitation or pressure, as well as disaggregating agents, effectively removed amyloid deposits. These findings provide a novel framework for understanding amyloid deposition in organs.