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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Astrocyte Biology in Parkinson's Disease, 2019Control of Astrocyte Function by LRRK2
Study Rationale:
Mutations in the LRRK2 gene are known to cause Parkinson’s disease (PD), but how mutations in this gene lead to neuron death is not yet known. Astrocytes, which are brain cells that s... -
Astrocyte Biology in Parkinson's Disease, 2019How Astrocytes Cause Neuronal Loss by Reacting to Alpha-synuclein
Study Rationale:
Research in Parkinson’s disease has largely focused on events that occur within neurons that are lost in disease. However far more abundant than neurons in the human brain are a type... -
Astrocyte Biology in Parkinson's Disease, 2019Exploring Proteins associated with Alpha-synuclein in Astrocytes at Different Stages of Parkinson’s Disease
Study Rationale:
In addition to neurons, astrocytes are the other major cell type that have increased alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In fact, more astrocytes have increased alpha... -
Improved Biomarkers and Clinical Outcome Measures, 2019Mitochondrial Complex 1 PET Imaging in Parkinson’s Disease
Study Rationale:
Methods are needed for imaging early pathological changes in the brain. With such brain imaging, we would be able to determine whether medications are protecting against progression... -
Improved Biomarkers and Clinical Outcome Measures, 2019Development of a Colony Stimulating Factor 1 Receptor (CSF1R) Radioligand for Imaging Microglia-selective Inflammation
Study Rationale:
We have shown that Parkinson’s disease has an underlying neuroinflammatory component that involves microglia, which are inflammatory and immune cells in the brain. We have developed... -
Improved Biomarkers and Clinical Outcome Measures, 2019Multimodal MR Imaging of the Midbrain for Early Parkinson’s Progression
Study Rationale:
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is marked by the loss of dopamine neurons in part of the midbrain, a section toward the base of the brain that serves important functions in movement. In the...
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