Alpha-synuclein: The main actor at the first Patagonia Synuclein workshop

The accumulation of aggregated alpha-synuclein (aSyn) in the brain is one of the defining pathological features in Parkinson's Disease, Parkinson's Disease with Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, and Multiple System Atrophy. For this reason, this group of disorders is collectively known as synucleinopathies. The identification of autosomal dominant mutations in the gene encoding aSyn ( SNCA ) in hereditary forms of disease further supports a central role for this protein in pathogenesis. The Synuclein Workshop was held for the first time in 2025 and is intended to be organized regularly every 2 years in countries of Latin America. The purpose of this series of workshops is to bring together leading experts in the field of synucleinopathies in a part of the world that is known for a strong tradition in the field, and to enable early career researchers to engage with and learn from other renowned experts, with the overall goal of discussing and advancing research in the field. In 2025, the Synuclein Workshop took place in Villa La Angostura, a city located in the province of Neuquén, Argentina. The meeting, entitled “The Patagonia Synuclein Workshop 2025”, brought together 100 scientists studying both clinical and biomolecular aspects of synucleinopathies. The meeting covered many of the open questions in the field, in a format that promoted and encouraged open and unbiased discussions between the participants, and underscored the need for additional research that, hopefully, will lead to the development of new diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. Here, we provide a summary of the main topics discussed in the meeting, and highlight what is the current knowledge in the field, what we still do not know, and the future directions necessary for achieving the ultimate goal of the community: to offer better options to patients, families, and care-givers.