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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Improved Biomarkers and Clinical Outcome Measures, 2020Assessment of Brain Tau Burden in Parkinson's Disease with or without a LRRK2 Mutation using [18F]MK-6240 PET Imaging
Study Rationale:
The precise mechanisms of cellular damage in Parkinson's disease remain unclear. Research has shown that abnormal forms of the protein alpha-synuclein accumulates in brain cells in... -
Therapeutic Pipeline Program, 2020Target Validation Studies for the Discovery of Novel Small Molecule Therapeutics with the Potential to Modify Disease Outcome by Inhibiting Bacterial Amyloid Protein-induced Alpha-synuclein Aggregation and Associated Neuronal Toxicity
Study Rationale:
Patients with Parkinson’s disease frequently report serious gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, most commonly constipation, which are not well treated with currently available medicine... -
Improved Biomarkers and Clinical Outcome Measures, 2020Developing Assays to Quantify Cys106 of DJ-1 in Distinct Oxidized States as a Potential Diagnostic Tool for Parkinson’s Disease
Study Rationale:
Currently, there are no tools to predict whether someone is at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease or to diagnose the early stages of the disease before motor symptoms can be... -
Target Advancement Program, 2020Determining the Ligase and DUB Landscape of Mitochondrial and Alpha-synuclein Turnover
Study Rationale:
Research suggests that accumulation of faulty mitochondria (the “powerhouse” of the cell) or mutated forms of the protein alpha-synuclein in the brain contribute to the... -
Alpha-Synuclein Imaging, 2020Optimization of Morphomer-Based Alpha-synuclein PET Tracers
Study Rationale:
The team at AC Immune has discovered a variety of compounds that can bind to a specific Parkinson’s disease-associated form of the protein alpha-synuclein. AC Immune has previously... -
Improved Biomarkers and Clinical Outcome Measures, 2020RT-QuIC Testing of Misfolded Alpha-synuclein in S4 Study Samples
Study Rationale:
The protein alpha-synuclein is vital to normal brain function. In Parkinson's disease, alpha-synuclein misfolds, forming aggregates, or clumps, that impair the ability of brain cells...
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Our funding programs support basic, translational and clinical research from academia and industry.