SLC18A2 and Parkinson disease: VMAT2-deficient mice also exhibit cytosolic dopamine accumulation and develop PD phenotypes.26 Previous studies have shown that DOPAL-modified α-synuclein oligomers form pores in SVs that cause increased DA leakage into the cytoplasm.58 While SV sorting deficits probably occur in all synapses, leading to neurotransmitter packaging defects, the properties of dopamine catabolites such as DOPAL are likely to render DA synapses vulnerable.