Could Parkinson's start in the gut?

Help us get closer to life changing breakthroughs for people with Parkinson’s, by donating to Professor Maria Grazia Spillantini’s groundbreaking research.

Investigating alpha-synuclein is an important area of Parkinson’s research. We know toxic clumps of this protein can stick together to form Lewy bodies in the guts of people with the condition. These clumps then travel to the brain, causing damage to dopamine-producing brain cells, which in turn may lead to movement symptoms. 

Professor Maria Grazia Spillantini is investigating how and why this happens. If we can understand this, we might be able to stop these clumps forming before motor symptoms develop.

Will you donate to Professor Spillantini’s promising study today? 

£10 could contribute towards glass slides used for tissue staining, to visualise alpha-synuclein.

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Your donations have helped get us this far, let's keep going

In 2018, Parkinson’s UK supporters funded Professor Spillantini’s previous research. She found a way to break down Lewy bodies in mouse models using a drug called anle138b. This boosted dopamine production. Excitingly, this drug is now in clinical trials in people with Parkinson’s. This wouldn’t have been possible without your donations. 

Now, Professor Spillantini and her team are exploring how Lewy bodies form in the gut. Over 3 years, they will study mouse models which have been modified to produce alpha-synuclein in their gut. This has never been done before. For the first time, we’ll be able to see how the clumps form and how they travel to the brain. 

How can you help?

Professor Spillantini’s pioneering research means we could be able to diagnose and treat people sooner, before motor symptoms develop.

Will you give a gift today? The cost of living crisis has had a huge impact on many people. We completely appreciate that you may not be able to give as much as usual, or not at all. Anything you do give will make a difference.

We’ve come so far together. Let’s keep going. 

Get involved in research

Want to know how you can get involved in our research? Take a look to see how you can play a part in our search for better treatments and a cure.