Work

α-synuclein pathology drives multi-scale reorganization of fronto-limbic networks and cognitive flexibility in the common marmoset

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: ABSTRACT Understanding how α-synuclein misfolding and spreading affect brain systems is central to synucleinopathy research, yet evidence from primate models remains limited. Here, we combined histology, awake structural MRI, awake resting-state fMRI, regional homogeneity, actimetry and touchscreen behavioral testing to longitudinally track the consequences of striatal α-synuclein seeding in the common marmoset. Phosphorylated α-synuclein inclusions were detected from 2 months post-injection and spread progressively to distributed cortical and subcortical regions bilaterally, accompanied by regionally specific structural atrophy. Functional imaging revealed widespread disruption of large-scale networks, particularly within fronto-limbic circuits, alongside reductions in local functional coherence. Despite the absence of overt motor or sleep deficits, animals exhibited a selective impairment in cognitive flexibility, with preserved learning and task engagement. These findings indicate that striatal α-synuclein seeding induces a multi-scale reorganization of brain networks preferentially affecting circuits supporting cognitive flexibility and limbic processing, establishing a primate platform for studying early stages of synucleinopathy.

Source: bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

DOI: 10.64898/2026.06.11.731687