These data provide the necessary knowledge to perform follow‐on studies characterizing the putative neuroprotective action of ghrelin‐PEG‐AuNRs in appropriate experimental models of neurodegenerative disease, such as an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis–frontotemporal dementia (ALS‐FTD) mouse model and Parkinson's disease models, including genetic (e.g., alpha‐synuclein) and toxin‐based (e.g., 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)) models. The gene discussed is SNCA; the disease is neurodegenerative disease.