Researchers Correct Error in Groundbreaking α-Synuclein Study

Researchers from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science in Tokyo, Japan, have made a correction to their original article published in Nature on May 27, 2020. The correction involves the inclusion of a new image in Extended Data Fig. 7, which was initially a duplicate of another image in the article. The corrected image is now available in both the HTML and PDF versions of the article. According to the correction, the duplicate image was for DLB Case 1, and it has been replaced with the correct image. The authors of the original article, Manuel Schweighauser and Yang Shi, contributed equally to the work, while Sjors H. W. Scheres and Michel Goedert jointly supervised the research. The correction aims to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the scientific findings presented in the article. The original article, titled "Structures of α-synuclein filaments from multiple system atrophy," used cryoelectron microscopy to study the structures of α-synuclein filaments in multiple system atrophy (MSA) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The research provided valuable insights into the neurodegenerative mechanisms underlying these diseases. Dr. Michel Goedert, a co-author of the original article, acknowledged the importance of accuracy in scientific research. "We strive to ensure the highest level of accuracy in our publications, and we appreciate the opportunity to correct this error," he said. Dr. Goedert emphasized the significance of the research, stating that understanding the structures of α-synuclein filaments can lead to the development of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The correction to the article is a testament to the scientific community's commitment to rigor and transparency. The inclusion of the correct image in Extended Data Fig. 7 ensures that the research findings are reliable and can be built upon by other scientists. The current status of the research remains unchanged, and the corrected article is now available online. The scientific community continues to study the structures of α-synuclein filaments in MSA and DLB, with the goal of developing new treatments for these devastating diseases.