Scientists awarded £90,000 to unlock the secrets behind Parkinson's

STV 

18 May 2015 10:11 BST

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The team from Dundee University will use state-of-the-art technology to study how a gene linked to Parkinson's affects cells in the brain.The money has been awarded by Parkinson's UK, the country's leading charity supporting those with the condition

One in 500 people in the UK have the degenerative neurological condition, which can leave them struggling to walk, speak and sleep.It affects around 10,000 Scots, including comedian Billy Connolly, but as yet there is no known cure.

Parkinson's occurs when nerve cells in the brain start to die, however the original cause of the disease remains unknown. Many believe that if the cause can be found, a cure will soon follow.

The three-year project at Dundee University will focus on a gene known as PINK1, which has been linked to Parkinson's, in a bid to see if it causes the disease.

PINK1 is vital for protecting mitochondria, the power-houses of cells. The scientists will investigate what happens when brain cells no longer respond to PINK1, and if this can lead to Parkinson's.

Dr Miratul Muqit, the lead researcher on the project, said: "In a cell you will see thousands of pathways, but we want to find the crucial ones.

"PINK1 is a gene that causes changes in the cells and we want to know if these changes disturb an essential pathway.

"We hope to create a road map of the pathways vital for the survival of brain cells. This way we can better understand how to diagnose and treat the condition."

Dr Arthur Roach, director of research and development at Parkinson's UK, said: "Understanding the role of genes in Parkinson's could be the key to discovering what causes some people to develop Parkinson's, something that has remained unknown for so long.

"Funding projects like this in Dundee is crucial if we are to progress in our research and one day find a cure."

http://health.einnews.com/article/265997130/cZfJQPg3I4B0wg5h