To determine whether the loss of ATP13A2 and its impact on ALP function in the SN and on the activity of dopaminergic neurons could increase the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons to PD pathology, 3mo rats received an unilateral intranigral injection of either an AAV2/9 carrying human A53T α-syn (pAAV2-CMVie/hSyn-synA53T-WPRE-pA) (SYN) to induce nigrostriatal neurodegeneration, as previously reported in rats49–52 or a control AAV2/9 “AAV-stuffer” (pAAV2-CMVie/hSyn-WPRE-pA) (CTR). The gene discussed is RIC8B; the disease is Parkinson disease.