A feedforward loop links Gaucher and Parkinson's diseases?

Mutations in the GBA gene that encodes glucocerebrosidase cause the lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher disease but also increase the risk for Parkinson's disease. Mazzulli et al. (2011) uncover a possible mechanism to explain this connection: loss of glucocerebrosidase creates a positive feedback loop of reduced lysosomal function and α-synuclein accumulation, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration.