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Our research impact in 2011

2 July 2012

Research impact report 2011We've just launched our 2011 research impact report to show how your donations are helping us fund groundbreaking research and find a cure for Parkinson's.

As the largest charity funder of Parkinson's research in the UK, so far we've spent more than £55million in groundbreaking research and we like to keep a close eye on our investment.

Every pound we raise for research makes a real difference and our research impact report explains our latest steps towards a cure.

Turning £1 into £4

Our funding acts like a magnet, attracting extra money into Parkinson's research from other sources including the government, pharmaceutical industry and other charities.

In 2011, we invested £4.5million in new research. This, in turn, helped our researchers gain a further £13.2million.

Parkinson's UK-funded researcher Professor Chris Dobson (pictured below) comments:

Professor Christopher Dobson"Our Parkinson's UK grant helped to set up a new research centre at the University of Cambridge attracting external funding of £6million from pharmaceutical company ELAN.

"The new centre, called the Centre for Research Innovation and Drug Discovery will focus on finding potential new drugs for neurodegenerative conditions including Parkinson's."

Sharing new knowledge

In 2011, our researchers shared their results with the international research community by:

Every pound we raise for research makes a real difference and our research impact report explains our latest steps towards a cure.

  • Giving 140 presentations at international meetings and conferences
  • Publishing over 120 scientific articles in journals
  • Speaking at over 100 public events

Taking our discoveries forward

Every research project we fund ultimately aims to make a difference to people living with Parkinson's.

And in 2011 our projects helped pave the way for:

  • 5 new clinical trials for Parkinson's
  • Updates to the NICE guidelines for deep brain stimulation
  • Discussions with the pharmaceutical industry

Towards a future without Parkinson's

Dr Kieran Breen, our Director of Research and Innovation, comments:

Dr Kieran Breen, Director of Research and Innovation"We're currently supporting more than 90 research projects worth over £17million to bring us closer to a cure for Parkinson's.

"Every research project we fund is totally dependent on voluntary donations.

"We're working hard to raise the essential funds we need to reach at least £70million by 2014 - but we need your support to help us get there."