NEW
YORK and MIAMI,
The Parkinson's Foundation
has awarded $500,000 for translational research grants to address critical
unmet needs in Parkinson's disease. The investments jumpstart practical
solutions to ease difficulties related to cognition, fatigue and sleep, all of
which are debilitating yet under-recognized symptoms in Parkinson's.
"As
a leader in patient-driven research, the Parkinson's Foundation
understands that listening to the community is key to accelerating
science," said John L. Lehr, chief executive officer of the Parkinson's
Foundation. "Our translational research grants are changing the field by
shifting research attention to the most pressing needs of people with Parkinson's. We
are confident that filling these critical gaps in science will drive
breakthroughs that can improve lives."
The
translational research grants are funded through the Community Choice Research Awards, the first
program to set research priorities based on the insights of people living with
Parkinson's. The awards have helped the Parkinson's Foundation to
identify symptoms that are troublesome for many people living with the disease,
but receive limited research funding.
"When
it comes to research studying the 'invisible' symptoms of Parkinson's —
including cognition, sleep and fatigue — there is a research desert," said
James Beck, Ph.D., Vice President, Scientific Affairs, Parkinson's Disease
Foundation, a division of the Parkinson's Foundation. "At the Parkinson's
Foundation, we envision a different research landscape — one in which
patient-driven research flourishes. These grants are one way to make it
happen."
Among
the five cutting-edge projects supported through the grants is one led by
Hengyi Rao, Ph.D., of the University of Pennsylvania, a Parkinson's Foundation
Center of Excellence, who is using neuroimaging to study changes in brain
function related to fatigue and the potential of blue light as a therapy.
About half of people with Parkinson's report fatigue as a major problem, yet no
effective therapies exist. Dr. Rao theorizes that exposing the eyes to a short
wavelength blue light may reduce fatigue in Parkinson's. Along with Dr. Rao,
four additional researchers have been awarded grants to study the potential of
therapies that include exercise, at-home brain stimulation, motivational
behaviors and cannabidiol, a derivative of cannabis.
"As
a scientist and a person with Parkinson's, I am impressed by the high quality
research that is supported through the translational research grants. The
Parkinson's Foundation is always a step ahead when it comes to putting the
needs of patients first, and these grants are no exception," said Girija
Muralidhar, Ph.D., a member of the Foundation's People with Parkinson's
Advisory Council and a grant reviewer. "I cannot think of a better
way to invest in science that impacts our lives."
All
projects funded through the translational research grants undergo rigorous peer
review. The topic areas addressed were initially identified through the
Community Choice Research Awards, which invite people with Parkinson's disease
and care partners to share their research priorities. Learn more by visiting www.pdf.org/ccra.
2017
Translational Research Grants
Impact
of a Novel Exercise Intervention on Executive Function and Sleep in Persons
with Parkinson's Disease
Amy
W. Amara, M.D., Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham
At-home
Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation for Fatigue and Cognitive Slowing in Parkinson's
Milton
Biagioni, M.D., The Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinson's and
Movement Disorders at NYU Langone, Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
Goal-directed
Behavior in Parkinson's Disease
Nabila
Dahodwala, M.D., University of Pennsylvania, Parkinson's Foundation Center of
Excellence
Multi-modal
Neuroimaging of Fatigue in Parkinson's Disease
Hengyi
Rao, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, Parkinson's Foundation Center of
Excellence
Pilot
Study of Cannabidiol in People with Parkinson's Disease and RBD Sleep Disorder
Renata
Riha, M.D., University of Edinburgh
About
the Parkinson's Foundation
The Parkinson's Foundation is working
toward a world without Parkinson's disease. Formed by the merger of
National Parkinson Foundation and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation in August
2016, the mission of the Parkinson's Foundation is to invest in promising
scientific research that will end Parkinson's disease and improve the lives of
people with Parkinson's and their families through improved treatments, support
and the best care. For more information, visit www.parkinsonsfoundation.org
or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636) or (800) 457-6676.
About
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a progressive
neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the US and over
10 million worldwide. Parkinson's is the second most common
neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's and is the 14th leading cause of
death in the US. It is associated with a loss of motor control (e.g.,
shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression) as well as non-motor
symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). Although promising research is being
conducted, there is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease.
SOURCE
Parkinson's Disease Foundation
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parkinsons-foundation-invests-500000-in-community-driven-clinical-research-to-ease-cognition-sleep-and-fatigue-in-parkinsons-300413986.html
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