The Michael J. Fox Foundation funds promising Parkinson's disease (PD) science to ensure new ideas flow into the pipeline and drive urgently needed breakthroughs for people living with the disease. Through open funding programs and staff-directed grants, the Foundation speeds efforts to grow our understanding of Parkinson's biology and clinical experience, measure PD pathology and progression, and develop therapies to alleviate symptoms and slow or stop disease.

In the third quarter of 2017, we funded projects targeting and measuring Parkinson's associated proteins (alpha-synuclein, GCase) and pathways (mitochondrial dysfunction). We also supported work to treat constipation and measure dementia and an interesting study that may use dogs to detect Parkinson's by smelling a person's skin oil. Click through from the links below to read more on these projects.

For a full list of MJFF-supported projects, visit our funded grants page.

Alpha-synuclein
This protein clumps in the cells of all people with Parkinson's, which scientists believe may lead to cell death and PD progression.

• Antibody Therapy to Block Alpha-synuclein Spread and Toxicity
  Valina Dawson, PhD; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
• Preventing Misfolded Alpha-synuclein Accumulation
  Caryl Sortwell, PhD; Michigan State University, East Lansing
• Regulation of the SNCA (Alpha-synuclein) Gene
  Mathias Toft, MD, PhD, and Lasse Pihlstrom, MD; Oslo University Hospital, Norway
• Imaging Agents for Tauopathies and Alpha-synuclein
  Neil Vasdev, PhD; MedChem Imaging, Boston
• Procedures for Alpha-synuclein Analysis in Biological Fluids Using a Colorimetric Immunoassay
  Hugo Vanderstichele, PhD; ADx Neurosciences, Belgium

Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Imbalances in the mitochondria ("energy powerhouse" of the cell) may play a role in PD onset and/or progression. The parkin protein is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction seen in PD.

• Artificial Parkin Protein to Treat Parkinson's Disease
  Daewoong Jo, PhD; Cellivery Therapeutics, South Korea
• Proof-of-Concept Study of Mitochondrial Drugs in Pre-clinical Models
  John Geisler, PhD; Mitochon Pharmaceutical, Blue Pell, Pennsylvania
• Promoting Mitochondrial Transport in Dopaminergic Neurons
  Thomas Schwarz, PhD; Harvard Medical School, Boston

GBA/GCase
Mutations in the GBA1 gene are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson's disease and cause lower levels of the protein glucocerebrosidase (GCase).

• Selective Measurement of GCase Activity in Blood Cells
  David Vocadlo, PhD; Simon Fraser University, Canada

Constipation
Many people with Parkinson's disease experience constipation, which can significantly impact quality of life.

• RESISTA-PD Trial: Effects of Resistant Starch on Bowel Habits and Gut Microbiota
  Marcus M. Unger, MD; Saarland University, Germany

Measuring Dementia and Smelling Parkinson's
Scientists are looking for ways to measure Parkinson's biology -- such as in the chemical makeup of oil from the skin -- and symptoms, including dementia, to help design trials and learn more about disease.

• Validation of the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes for Parkinson's Disease
  Daniel Weintraub, MD; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• From Nose to Diagnostics: Detecting Parkinson's through Skin Sebum Scent
  Perdita E. Barran, BSc, Hons PhD; University of Manchester, United Kingdom