In an MPTP-induced rodent model of Parkinson’s disease, the plant sterol stigmasterol showed neuroprotective effects that the authors attribute to restoration of ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) gene expression.

Targeting UPS dysfunction is directly relevant to proteostasis and alpha‑synuclein clearance, so a compound that restores UPS gene expression in vivo offers a plausible, actionable neuroprotective lead despite being preclinical and requiring further validation and translational assessment.