Influenza virus infection does not alter acute sickness in mice with Lrrk2 mutations. Surviving Lrrk2 p.G2019S KI mice, however, had elevated oxidative stress and phosphorylated a-synuclein and tau proteins in their brains six weeks post-infection.
Dataset and key resource table for the study: Elevated phosphorylated α-synuclein and phosphorylated-tau in Lrrk2 p.G2019S-mutant mice following influenza A pneumonitis, by Lunn et al., 2026.
PD and DLB involve α-syn inclusions in the amygdala affecting cognition and emotions. Cortico-amygdala synapses with α-syn aggregates show increased volume of synapses, potentially contributing to behavioral impairments.
