There is a lot of interest in how neurons die during various neurodegenerative processes. Is it always via apoptosis? This paper from the Dawson lab implicates parthanatos (PARP-dependent non-apoptotic death) in the degenerative death of dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. This has important therapeutic implications as it suggests that we should consider drugging PARP to prevent Parkinson's in some cases.