Our latest Parkinson's research projects

Vital new research projects are getting underway in 2013 which will bring us closer to a cure for Parkinson's.

These exciting new studies focus on why nerve cells die in Parkinson's, and pioneering new treatments to improve the lives of people with the condition.

Testing new drugs for dyskinesia

• Dr Riccardo Brambilla, University of Cardiff
• £150,000 over 18 months
• Start date: January 2013
• Translational grant: J-1201

Riccardo's project could identify future treatments that could stop or even reverse the distressing uncontrollable movements that can be a side-effect of Parkinson's medication.

Testing new drugs for dyskinesia - research project summary (PDF, 140KB)

Developing a simple test for Parkinson's

• Dr Jason Davis, University of Oxford
• £150,000 over 18 months
• Start date: January 2013
• Translational grant: J-1202

If this project is successful, the team hope to show that measuring the levels of antibodies in the blood could be developed into a simple test that can accurately diagnose Parkinson's.

Developing a simple test for Parkinson's - research project summary (PDF, 92KB)

How is the tau gene involved in Parkinson's?

• Dr Rohan de Silva, University College London
• £34,957 over 8 months
• Start date: January 2013
• Innovation grant: K-1212

The results of these experiments will help shed light on how subtle changes in the tau protein may be involved in the development of Parkinson's which may hold exciting potential for developing new drugs and treatments.

How is the tau gene involved in Parkinson's? - research project summary (PDF, 157KB)

TIGAR: a promising new drug target for Parkinson's

• Dr Oliver Bandmann, University of Sheffield
• £127,840 over 2 years
• Start date: April 2013
• Project grant: G-1304

This project will investigate a protein called TIGAR which has potential as a new and promising target for treatments that could help save the precious nerve cells lost in Parkinson's and offer hope of a future cure.

TIGAR: a promising new drug target for Parkinson's - research project summary (PDF, 160KB)

Spotting the earliest signs of Parkinson's

• Dr Anette Schrag, University College London
• £34,444 over 12 months
• Start date: April 2013
• Innovation grant: K-1213

Anette's project will help us learn more about the earliest stages of Parkinson's and could potentially help doctors spot people at higher risk before the movement symptoms appear.

Spotting the earliest signs of Parkinson's - research project summary (PDF, 172KB)

Investigating a new 'iron-handling' drug for Parkinson's

• Dr James Duce, University of Leeds
• £149,551 over 18 months
• Start date: May 2013
• Translational grant: J-1203

If this project is successful it will bring us a step closer to testing a new 'iron-handling' drug in clinical trials - a treatment that could benefit the lives of people with Parkinson’s.

Investigating a new 'iron-handling' drug for Parkinson's - research project summary (PDF, 97KB)

Closing in on new treatments for dyskinesia

• Dr Marios Politis, Imperial College London
• £200,000 over 18 months
• Start date: May 2013
• Project grant: G-1303

This study will use brain scans to see if the PDE-10A enzyme is overactive in people who experience dyskinesia. If successful, this study could lead to clinical trials for drugs that can reduce dyskinesia.

Closing in on new treatments for dyskinesia - research project summary (PDF, 172KB)

Developing better brain scans for Parkinson's

• Professor Dorothee Auer, University of Nottingham
• £657,105 over 3 years
• Start date: May 2013
• Tracking Parkinson's add on grant: J-1204

This project aims to develop highly accurate new brain imaging techniques for Parkinson's. This would revolutionise diagnosis and accelerate research to find better treatments and a cure.

Developing better brain scans for Parkinson's - research project summary (PDF, 167KB)

Investigating a 'shortcut' to dopamine release

• Dr Stephanie Cragg, University of Oxford
• £210,000 over 3 years
• Start date: May 2013
• Project grant: G-1305

This project could bring new insights into how dopamine-producing nerve cells work, and what happens to them in Parkinson's. This may ultimately lead to new treatments that improve symptoms with fewer side-effects.

Investigating a 'shortcut' to dopamine release - research project summary (PDF, 101KB)

Investigating 'traffic jams' inside brain cells in Parkinson's

• Dr Chris Wilkinson, University of London
• £34,786 over 12 months
• Start date: June 2013
• Innovation grant: K-1211

Chris's project could provide fresh ideas to develop new treatments – such as drugs that help keep traffic moving inside nerve cells. And this may lead to treatments that could slow or stop the progression of Parkinson's.

Investigating 'traffic jams' inside brain cells in Parkinson's - research project summary (PDF, 596KB)

Studying LRRK2 in the fruit fly eye

• Dr Chris Elliot, University of York
• £88,213 over 3 years
• Start date: October 2013
• PhD Studentship: H-1201

This project forms part of our vital work to understand the complex causes of nerve cell death in Parkinson's. This is an important first step towards new and better treatments that may be able to slow or stop the progression of the condition.

Studying LRRK2 in the fruit fly eye - research project summary (PDF, 190KB)

A lifetime study of people living with Parkinson's

• Dr Carl Counsell, University of Aberdeen
• £73,956 over 18 months
• Start date: October 2013
• Project grant: G-1302

This project will continue following a large group of people with and without Parkinson's in Aberdeen. Carl's investigating how Parkinson's changes over time and how it affects people with the condition and their families.

A lifetime study of Parkinson's - research project summary (PDF, 190KB)

Investigating the role of calcium in Parkinson's

• Professor Sandip Patel, University College London
• £92,276 over 3 years
• Start date: October 2013
• PhD Studentship: H-1202

This project is investigating a new idea about the causes of Parkinson's, which could open up a new avenue of research. Findings from this research could ultimately be useful in the development of new treatments for both Parkinson's and Gaucher's disease.

Investigating the role of calcium in Parkinson's - research project summary (PDF, 51KB)

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