The Foundation supports research across basic, translational and clinical science to speed breakthroughs that can lead to the creation of new treatments and a better quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease.
Search or browse funded studies
Previously funded studies appear chronologically, with the most recent appearing first.
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Research Grant, 2018Optimization of Probe-ELISA Parkin Activity Assay
Promising Outcomes of Original Grant:
Certain forms of Parkinson's are due to defects in a cellular regulatory node known as the PINK1-Parkin pathway. With previous funding from MJFF, we sought to... -
Research Grant, 2018Evaluating the Therapeutic Potential of the Systemic Antagonism of Dopamine Receptor D3
Promising Outcomes of Original Grant:
Parkinson's disease involves toxic forms of certain proteins (e.g., alpha-synuclein) in the brain, which trigger an immune response driven by inflammatory... -
Research Grant, 2018Structure-Based Design of Small-Molecule Activators of Parkin
Promising Outcomes of Original Grant:
The protein Parkin requires activation by another enzyme called PINK1. With previous MJFF funding, we identified a new class of chemical fragments that could be... -
Research Grant, 2017Drawing on the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) Data to Link Changes in the PINK1/Parkin Genes with Parkinson's Disease
Study Rationale:
Two proteins, PINK1 and Parkin, prevent cell death by breaking down damaged mitochondria, cell's energy generators. This process is known as mitophagy. Mutations in PINK1/Parkin genes... -
LRRK2 Biology Consortium, 2017Study of How LRRK2 Mutations Affect Cellular Processes that Could Lead to PD
Study Rationale:
One of the most common inherited causes of Parkinson's disease (PD) is defect in the LRRK2 protein caused by changes, or mutations, of the LRRK2 gene. LRRK2 regulates the movement of... -
Target Advancement Program, 2017Investigating Kainate Receptor as a Potential Target to Protect against Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease
Study Rationale:
Kainate receptors (KARs) are proteins on the surface of neurons that help to transmit signals between the neurons. The process generates electrical currents at the point of...

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Our funding programs support basic, translational and clinical research from academia and industry.