Exploring New Targets for Parkinson’s Therapies

FoxFeed Blog

Posted by  Maggie McGuire, April 10, 2015

Our portfolio of funded projects touches on many familiar targets such as alpha-synuclein and LRRK2. We’re always on the lookout, though, for the next big thing in Parkinson’s drug development. A number of recent grants went to projects exploring new avenues that may be the key to stopping Parkinson’s progression.

Learn more about the more than 450 active projects that MJFF is supporting on our Funded Grants page.

Stopping Cellular StressMatthews O. Bradley, PhDSAJE Pharma, LLCDrugs developed by this Baltimore-based biotech target an enzyme that plays a role in oxidative stress, a process linked to Parkinson’s disease. Oxidative stress is the build-up of free radicals, products of oxygen metabolism. Researchers are testing which of their drugs are able to enter the brain and whether those compounds have an impact on Parkinson’s disease models.

Cornering a Cancer GeneXiqun Chen, MD, PhDMassachusetts General HospitalPeople with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to develop melanoma. Conversely, melanoma patients are at higher risk of developing Parkinson’s. This bidirectional link suggests a shared genetic basis for these two seemingly distinct conditions. These scientists are studying a melanoma-related gene to evaluate its role in the survival or degeneration of dopamine neurons. Targeting that gene may have neuroprotective effects.

Targeting a Trafficking ProblemValérie Legendre-Guillemin, PhDUniversité du Québec à ChicoutimiA cellular process called vesicle trafficking delivers proteins where they need to be to perform their normal functions. Genes involved in this process have been associated with Parkinson’s disease. This study is investigating one of those genes and its relationships with known targets alpha-synuclein and LRRK2. Understanding this network of interactions will help to better focus therapies and potentially highlight a new target.

Halting Iron OverloadPier Giorgio Mastroberardino, PhDErasmus University Medical CenterIron is an element naturally present in the brain but excessive amounts, as observed in Parkinson’s disease, are toxic. Approaches to block iron accumulation could lead to promising therapies; it is still unclear, however, which of the specific proteins that control iron levels in the brain should be targeted by these therapies. This project from researchers in the Netherlands is testing a particular protein controlling iron to determine if it is a valid therapeutic target.

While these studies are still in the laboratory, there are many clinical studies recruiting volunteers. Register with Fox Trial Finder to be matched with studies in your area looking for participants like you.

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