"α-synuclein is a neuronal protein of unclear function which accounts for approximately 1% of brain weight 1. This protein is typically soluble and localised in pre-synaptic terminals. However, in synucleinopathies there is an initial misfolding of α-synuclein from either environmental factors or genetic predisposition 5. This misfolding causes them to become insoluble, and induce misfolding of other α-synuclein proteins leading to aggregation into inclusion bodies similar to prions 6. It is suspected that the accumulation of inclusion bodies impairs synaptic functions and contributes to neuronal death 7."
"Dementia with Lewy bodies (Lewy body disease)"