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Frequently asked questions about Parkinson's research
Our questions and answers address the most commonly asked
questions about Parkinson's
research.
Better
treatments and a cure
Causes of
Parkinson's
Research at Parkinson's
UK
Getting involved
in research
Better treatments and a cure
Listen to Dr Roger Barker discuss new
hopes for a cure
What do we mean by a cure for Parkinson's?
By a cure for Parkinson's we mean
treatment(s) that allow everyone to live free from the symptoms of
the condition.
Because there are likely to be many causes and varieties of
Parkinson's, there is unlikely to be a single cure.
Instead, a combination of drugs, treatments and therapies is
likely to make up a 'cure package' specifically designed to treat
the symptoms of each individual.
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How much longer do we have
to wait for a cure for Parkinson's?
Unfortunately it is impossible to predict when a cure will
emerge, or what type of treatment(s) it will be.
We fund a diverse range of projects that target every aspect of
Parkinson's to ensure that every possible opportunity is
explored.
Every project works towards a future when no one will have to
live with the symptoms of the condition.
Find out more: Current
research projects
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What about stem cell treatments?
Stem cells are 'unspecialised' cells which can develop into
almost any cell in the body. They are found in early embryos,
foetuses, umbilical cords and also in some adult tissues.
What makes them so exciting for Parkinson's research is that
they have the potential to grow into new nerve cells.
Researchers are investigating stem cells in the hope that they
could, one day, be used to grow nerve cells to replace those lost
in the Parkinson's brain.
There are no stem cell treatments available today for people
with Parkinson's. Studies on stem cells are still at an early stage
and, as yet, no appropriate clinical trials have been carried
out.
Only when stem cells have been thoroughly tested and proven to
be safe will they become available to people with Parkinson's.
Find out more:
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Should I store my umbilical
cord blood as a source of stem cells?
Researchers are currently investigating various sources of stem
cells. But at this stage there is insufficient evidence to support
the use of umbilical cord blood as a source of stem cells for
treating Parkinson's.
Cord blood stem cells are already used to treat blood disorders
such as leukaemia and anaemia. This is because cord blood stem
cells naturally develop into the blood cells affected in these
disorders.
Umbilical cord stem cells can be stored by both public and
private cord blood banks.
Public cord blood banks store cells for the benefit of the
general public or research purposes. Private cord blood banks are
companies that store cord blood for personal use by the donor or
donor's relatives.
Find out more about storing cord blood stem cells through the
Human Tissue Authority.
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What are gene therapies for
Parkinson's?
Gene therapy is a new approach to treating medical conditions.
It works by using genes to help the cells that are involved in or
damaged by the development of the condition.
In Parkinson's the nerve cells that produce the chemical
dopamine stop working and die. Gene therapy for Parkinson's is
focused upon:
- helping the remaining nerve cells to work better by adding
genes that manufacture dopamine
- helping the remaining nerve cells to survive by adding genes
that have protective properties
Find out more: Gene
therapy for Parkinson's information sheet
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Does Parkinson's UK support research
into complementary therapies?
We fund a wide range of research projects, including studies
that investigate complementary approaches to treating
Parkinson's.
Complementary therapies lie outside the scope of conventional
medical practice and can be used alongside standard treatments.
Examples include nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, massage
and acupuncture.
It has proved difficult to get definitive results in clinical
trials, partly because Parkinson's varies hugely from one person to
the next, affecting people's responses to therapies. However,
complementary therapies can be very helpful for some people.
It is important to remember that complementary therapies are not
a treatment or a cure. People should always seek medical advice
before embarking on any complementary therapy or supplement
programme.
Only use therapists recommended by a trustworthy source.
Find out more:
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Why do some Parkinson's drugs cause impulsive and compulsive
behaviour?
Parkinson's is caused by the loss of nerve cells in the brain
that make and use the chemical dopamine. Dopamine carries messages
inside the brain that help co-ordinate movements but it is also
involved in many other brain activities.
This means that anti-Parkinson's medications which alter the
levels of dopamine in the brain can have a range of side effects
including changes in behaviour.
We are currently funding studies investigating why some people
with Parkinson's are more susceptible to developing impulsive and
compulsive behaviour.
Problems with compulsive gambling, compulsive shopping and
hypersexuality can have a devastating impact on the person affected
and their family.
If you are worried about any side effects you experience, seek
advice from your doctor or specialist nurse, or call our free and
confidential helpline 0808 800 0303.
Find out more:
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Causes
of Parkinson's
Listen to Professor Anthony Schapira
discuss the causes of Parkinson's
What causes Parkinson's?
Parkinson's is caused by the progressive loss of specific nerve
cells inside the brain. These nerve cells produce dopamine - a
chemical messenger that is involved in the co-ordination of
movements.
The movement symptoms of the condition only emerge once 70-80%
of the dopamine-producing cells have been lost.
In the majority of cases of Parkinson's, we don't know what
causes the nerve cells to die. This is known as sporadic
Parkinson's.
Parkinson's seems to be caused by different combinations of
factors in different people including inherited genes and
environmental factors. However, the most common risk factor for
Parkinson's is the ageing process.
Find out more: Looking for the
causes of Parkinson's
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Can Parkinson's be
inherited?
Yes, for a very small proportion of people - no more than 5% -
Parkinson's is directly caused by defects in their genes which can
be passed down through generations.
However, for the vast majority of people - around 95% -
Parkinson's is not inherited. The exact causes are unknown, but
scientists believe it is a combination of both genetic and
environmental factors, such as lifestyle and exposure to
chemicals.
It is quite uncommon for more than one person in a family to
have the condition.
At the moment, there is no way to predict a person's risk of
developing Parkinson's based on having other family members
affected.
Find out more: Inherited Parkinson's and genetic testing
information sheet
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Is there a
genetic test available for Parkinson's?
At present, there are no genetic tests that are freely available
for Parkinson's. This is because the genetic causes of Parkinson's
are very rare.
Identifying rare genetic changes can be extremely time-consuming
and very expensive.
There are some commercial genetic testing services available,
but whether a test is positive or negative is not always
particularly helpful for patients or their doctors. This is because
even when an abnormal gene is found, the chances of going on to
develop Parkinson's are usually very low.
Scientists are working hard to find better and cheaper ways,
such as smell sticks and blood tests, to diagnose Parkinson's
early, before the movement symptoms of the disorder emerge.
This means that when we do have treatments that can slow or stop
the development of Parkinson's we will be able to offer people
earlier, preventative treatment.
Find out more: Inherited Parkinson's and genetic testing
information sheet
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Are there any
lifestyle or environmental factors that cause Parkinson's?
Yes. Research has shown that exposure to certain chemicals, such
as pesticides, can increase the risk of developing the condition.
While more recent studies suggest that smoking, drinking tea or
coffee, and taking regular exercise may actually reduce the risk of
Parkinson's.
Parkinson's is probably caused by a different mixture of things
for each individual, including environmental and lifestyle
factors.
Parkinson's is a condition which develops over a long period and
tends to emerge later in life. This makes it very difficult to
tease out precisely what combination of factors triggers
the condition in each individual.
The most common factor is the natural ageing process.
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Research at Parkinson's UK
What types of research does Parkinson's UK
fund?
We are committed to funding research that will make a difference
to the lives of people affected by Parkinson's. This includes:
- research that works towards a long term cure, such as
understanding the causes and exploring new therapies such as stem
cells and gene therapy
- and studies that will improve quality of life for those living
with Parkinson's now
Find out more: Current research
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Does Parkinson's UK
support research outside the UK?
As a UK-based charity, we focus on funding researchers based at
UK institutions. But we have recently opened up our innovation grants scheme to international
researchers.
We encourage our researchers to develop international
collaborations and share their findings globally
by presenting at conferences and events, and publishing
in scientific journals.
We also closely monitor Parkinson's research all over the world
by working with other organisations, such as the UK Medical Research Council and the
Michael J Fox Foundation for
Parkinson's Research in the US, and attending international
conferences and meetings.
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How does Parkinson's UK
decide which projects to fund?
We offer a wide variety of research
grants to attract applications for projects that address all
aspects of the condition, and to encourage researchers from all
backgrounds to study Parkinson's.
Our strict research funding process
ensures that every application is reviewed both by experts in the
field and by people affected by Parkinson's.
This means that:
- only the highest quality research is funded
- research is not duplicated elsewhere
- researchers are qualified to do the research
- researchers have the appropriate facilities available
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How much does Parkinson's UK spend on
research?
In 2012 we spent over £4.8million on research, including 30
groundbreaking new research projects.
Since the charity was founded in 1969, we have spent more than
£60million on research.
Our research achievements have made a
real difference to the treatment and care for people living with
Parkinson's today.
We continue to invest in pioneering research. We currently
support more than 90 research projects in the UK, worth around
£17million.
Find out more: Current
research
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Does Parkinson's UK support research involving
the use of animals?
We believe that research involving animals is important as it
will help to identify improved treatments, help us gain a greater
understanding of the causes of the condition and ultimately lead to
the development of a cure.
The use of animals in research is rigorously controlled by UK
legislation. All researchers involved in studies using animals
require a Home Office licence and the research facilities are
regularly inspected by regulatory authorities.
As a member of the Association of Medical Research
Charities (AMRC), we impose strict conditions on all of our
grant-holders.
Find out more: Animal
research and Parkinson's - our policy statement
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Does Parkinson's UK support research
involving the use of human embryos?
Yes. We support the exploration of all avenues of stem cell
research within the rigorous ethical and regulatory framework in
place in the UK.
We believe that stem cells hold great potential for helping
people with Parkinson's in the future.
We're currently funding several research projects investigating
the abilities of stem cells to form the type of nerve cells lost in
Parkinson's.
Find out more: Current
stem cell research
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Getting involved in research
How
can I take part in clinical research?
People affected by Parkinson's play an essential role in
clinical research. Volunteers can help by testing new treatments
and making decisions about research studies.
Find out more:
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How do I donate my brain to research?
You can pledge to donate your brain by signing up for the
Parkinson's UK Brain Donor Register.
Find out more: Parkinson's UK Brain
Bank and How to become a brain
donor
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Still have questions? Get in touch
If you have questions or need more information about any aspect
of Parkinson's research, please do get in touch:
- email
-
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