Public Lecture Series: When Good Proteins Go Bad — Pathology in Parkinson's Disease

Proteins are the workhorses of the body and play important roles in maintaining health. But sometimes, good proteins go bad — and the results can be devastating.

This is the case in Parkinson’s disease, which is linked to clumps of misshapen proteins that damage brain cells and prevent them from doing their jobs. Understanding how and why this happens offers powerful opportunities for developing new treatments that address the underlying problems that cause Parkinson’s.

Join Van Andel Institute’s Dr. Michael Henderson for an in-depth primer on Parkinson’s and proteins, and how this knowledge may inform improved strategies for slowing or stopping disease progression.

Assistant Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science

Dr. Michael Henderson investigates the causes of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and dementia with Lewy bodies, and the factors that control disease progression. He hopes to translate his findings into new therapies that slow or stop this progression.