|
We regularly publishing summaries of completed
PDS-funded research projects.
All the summaries are available to download
below in PDF format or to order. To read the PDF files you need Adobe Acrobat
Reader which you can download
free of charge.
Latest research summary
Studying the effects of
ecstasy on the brain – RG23 (45KB)
Principal investigator: Dr Paola Piccini
Start date: November 2003
Completion date: October 2006
Award: £80,344
The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that people who
take ecstasy repeatedly have problems with the function of nerve
cells that produce serotonin or dopamine (types of chemical
messengers in the brain).
The results from this study may suggest that the dopamine system
is not functioning properly in former ecstasy users. However, more
research needs to be carried out to examine what the long-term
effects may be.
What causes Parkinson's
Understanding
the role of the protein UCH1 in Parkinson's disease -
RG20 (48KB)
Seven changes in the UCH-L1 gene,which is involved in the
inherited form of Parkinson's, were uncovered.
Identifying and
understanding the genetic causes of Parkinson's - RG18
(55KB)
Two new genes know as PINK1 and LRRK2 that play a role in
Parkinson's, were identified. This research follows from the
project described in RG11.
Understanding nerve cell death in
Parkinson's disease - RG14 (71KB)
The effects of normal and abnormal forms of the gene known as
parkin on nerve cell death, were evaluated. They found that the
normal form protects cell from dying while the abnormal form
accelerates nerve cell death.
Involvement of glycine
receptors in Parkinson's disease - RG12 (94KB)
The findings of this research provide further evidence linking
glycine receptors (elements that receive electrical stimuli in the
brain) to the processes involved in the development of Parkinson’s
and the associated death of nerve cells.
Identifying genes involved in Parkinson's
disease - RG11 (74KB)
New techniqueswere developed to assess the genes associated with
Parkinson’s. This paved the way for subsequent identification of
two new genes that are associated with Parkinson's (see RG18).
Involvement of glial
cells - RG08 (70KB)
This project looked at establishing whether the abnormal activity
of the support cells that surround nerve cells in the brain leads
to nerve cell death.
A
novel neuroprotective strategy in Parkinson's disease
- RG05 (67KB)
A selection of drugs were assessed to see whether they protect
nerve cells from death.
Role of
parkin in Parkinson's disease - RG02 (66KB)
New techniques were develped that enabled the researchers to look
at the role of proteins that are involved in Parkinson's (e.g.
parkin) during nerve cell death.
Improved treatments / Cure
Replacement
of the dopamine-producing nerve cells lost in
Parkinson's - RG21 (337KB)
The initial results are promising. These showed that some of the
neural stem cells (grown in the laboratory) are able to develop
into the dopamine-producing nerve cells that are lost during
Parkinson's. Interestingly, however, cells grown in the laboratory
for long periods of time (20 weeks) did not survive when placed
into the brain.
Developing a source of neurons to
replace the nerve cells lost in Parkinson's - RG19
(93KB)
What makes stem cells become dopamine-producing nerve cells was the
focus of this project
The effect of dopamine replacement
therapy on behaviour -
RG17 (86KB)
This summary discusses the results of research that looked at the
effects of taking excessive dopamine replacement therapy on
behaviour in people with Parkinson's
The role of inflammation in
Parkinson's disease - RG16 (128KB)
An imaging techniquewas developed that measured the level of
inflammation in the brain of people with Parkinson's. Inflammation
may be present in the region of the brain affected in
Parkinson's
Neuroprotective effects of the protein superoxide
dismutase - RG09 (70KB)
This study investigated whether a protein known as superoxide
dismutase can prevent or decrease the level of nerve cell death
Repetitive transcranial stimulation in Parkinson's -
RG03 (76KB)
A study into whether a slow train of magnetic impulses applied
to the brain can improvethe uncontrollable movements associated
with long-term treatment with levodopa
Care and support
Control
of language in people with Parkinson's
– RG22 (360 KB)
The researchers have shown that Parkinson’s may influence
various mental tasks required for conversation. This is
discussed in more detail in the summary.
Quality of
life of children whose parent has Parkinson's disease
- RG15 (47KB)
A questionnaire that measures the impact of Parkinson's on the
quality of life of children whose parent has Parkinson's was
designed and evaluated.
Attentional training in
Parkinson's disease - RG13 (84KB)
A computer-based training program to improve attention in people
with Parkinson'swas developed during this study.
Voice, speech and swallowing problems in Parkinson's
disease - RG10 (70KB)
The impact of voice, speech and swallowing problems in people with
Parkinson'sis discussed in this research summary.
An evaluation of
service need and availability for younger people -
RG07 (72KB)
Establishing which services (e.g. physiotherapy) are important to
the younger person with Parkinson's and the benefits of early
referral, were the focus of this research.
Effects
of functional electrical stimulation on gait in Parkinson's
Disease - RG06 (102KB)
Electrical stimulation of a nerve in the leg of people with
Parkinson's improved gait features such as heel strike and stride
length.
Methods of
controlling the rate of speech in people with
Parkinson's RG04 (272KB)
The effectiveness of two methods of controlling fast speech in
people with Parkinson's, were compared.
Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy for Carers - RG01 (76KB)
This research focussed on reducing the level of distress in carers
of people with Parkinson's.
|
