About our research

We are the largest charity funder of Parkinson's research in the UK.

Since 1969 we have spent around £45million on groundbreaking research. Our research has already helped develop new and better treatments for Parkinson's, uncovered vital clues about how the condition develops, and pioneered innovative research towards a cure.

Read about our research achievements over the last 40 years.

Our challenge | Our plans | Our research | Contact us

Our challenge

120,000 people in the UK have Parkinson's. Most people with the condition are aged 50 or over, but younger people can get it too.

People with Parkinson's don't have enough of a chemical called dopamine because some of the nerve cells in their brain have died.

Treatments can help to manage the symptoms. But we still don't understand why people get Parkinson's and no current treatment can slow or stop the development of the condition.

Watch our video on the importance of the research that we fund

Dr Shirley Ratcliffe has been living with Parkinson's for 10 years:

"As a person with Parkinson's, I know how crucial it is that a cure is found.

"We must keep raising more money to fund more research to make this happen."

Our plans

We want everyone with Parkinson's to be able to live their lives completely free of symptoms. 

Over the next 5 years we will invest more than £25million in research to bring us closer to a cure.

We are committed to:

Funding high quality research

Our rigorous research funding process ensures that every penny we spend benefits people with Parkinson's.

Involving people affected by Parkinson's

Through our Research Network, people affected by Parkinson's play a crucial part in making decisions about our research.

Stimulating research

We support research events that allow scientists to meet, exchange ideas and forge new collaborations, such as our successful research conference in 2008.

Supporting scientists

Our wide range of research grants promote and encourage a flourishing Parkinson's research community in the UK.

Our research

At the start of 2010 we were supporting 90 research projects worth over £15million.

Including:

• 37 projects investigating the causes of Parkinson's?
• 30 projects exploring better treatments and a cure
• 23 projects to understand and improve life with Parkinson's

But we can't do it without your support. Our research is totally dependent on donations and there are lots of way you can help

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