Scientists have imaged and quantified the toxic protein molecules that are thought to drive Parkinson’s disease for the first time. The finding will help researchers understand how this neurodegenerative disease begins at the molecular level. The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.

The brain cells of people affected by Parkinson’s disease are stuffed with toxic proteins. Aggregates called Lewy bodies are classic signs of Parkinson's. These are built of a protein called ɑ-synuclein, composed of nanometer-scale molecules called oligomers.

Researchers think the action of these oligomers is crucial in the onset and acceleration of the disease. Still, until now, scientists have been unable to view these nano-sized structures in th

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