Research On Parkinson Disease
Parkinson’s reasearch is being actively pursued in a variety of directions including neuroprotective treatments (used to halt PD or delay its onset), gene therapy (used to encode functions lacking in the brain) and differentiated cell and stem cell research (transplantation of neural tissue to produce dopamine needed for proper body movement). In this regard, Parkinson research foundations play a vital and active role in funding research on parkinson disease (PD) and providing important information, support and services to persons (and relatives of persons) suffering from PD. Three such important PD foundations include The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, The Michael Stern Parkinson’s Research Foundation and Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. The Michael J. Fox Foundation is the largest funder of Parkinson’s research in the US. Some of the parkinsons disease research areas being prioritized by the Michael J Fox Foundation include:
1. Stem Cell and Cell Replacement Therapy to find ways for transplantation of neural tissue to produce dopamine as part of parkinsons disease research.
2. Parkinson’s reasearch into unlocking the secrets of the protein, alpha-synuclein, implicated in Parkinson’s pathology. The role of alpha-synuclein in a healthy brain in not currently known, but it is a major constituent of Lewy bodies (protein clumps) that are a pathological hallmark of PD, although there is debate on the role of Lewy bodies themselves. Alpha-synuclein is also being considered for neuroprotective treatment.
3. Use of specialized proteins that nurture and protect neurons. Proteins known as tropic factors promote survival, growth and function of neurons in the brain and can thereby improve PD symptoms. They need to be injected into, or produced inside, the brain directly. New delivery methods need to be found to make trophic factors a viable therapy option.
4. The search for a biomarker for PD which can be used to effectively diagnose Parkinson’s disease and track its progression and thereby provide treatment to persons at an early stage of PD. PD is a complex disease and diagnosing it early on is currently proving difficult.
The second important foundation, the Michael Stern Parkinson’s Research Foundation has provided over $18 million for research aimed at finding the causes and cure of PD to date. There have been significant accomplishments achieved directly due to this Foundation. As mentioned on their website some of these parkinsons disease research include:
1. Furhter discoveries related to about the function of “master molecule” DARPP-3 which is a protein found in part of the brain responsible for dopamine signaling.
2. Improved understanding of the signaling pathways within dopamine neurons.
3. Development of new imaging techniques for detecting changes in PD at its earliest stages.
4. Investigating other symptoms unrelated to dopamine such as mood disorders and their impact on patients and families.
The third important foundation providing research on parkinson disease, Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, has a research center in Phoenix, Arizona recognized as a center of excellence in the clinical treatment and advanced research of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center is participating in the Gene PD Study whose purpose is to determine if there is genetic cause or basis for some cases of Parkinson’s disease. This foundation offers education, support and resources on Parkinson’s reasearch at no charge.