Research Funding
The Parkinson Society Maritime Region raises funds in support of the Parkinson Society Canada's National Research Program. The Maritime Region believes a strong, coordinated approach to funding research offers the best possibility to find a cause, treatment and cure for Parkinson's.
The Maritime Region sets a goal annually to raise research funds. Contributions to this fund may be made through our Donations section on this site or by contacting our office directly.
Current Research
Projects currently being funded under the National Research Program may be found on the Parkinson Society Canada website, (www.parkinson.ca). Research is taking place all over the world as scientists hope to find clues that will lead to discovering a cause and cure for Parkinson's. In the Maritimes, the Brain Repair Centre undertakes leading edge research (www.brainrepair.ca).
Canadian Michael J. Fox established the Michael J. Fox Foundation based in New York upon his diagnosis. The Foundation's goal is to find a cure and its website provides up-to-date information on numerous worldwide research initiatives (www.michaeljfox.org).
It is important to remember that research is often a slow process taking many years to make advancements. We remain hopeful and optimistic that researchers will make enormous strides in the next few years. Some of the most important projects underway include:
Biomakers II
Michael J. Fox Foundation is providing a grant for a two-year research program designed to accelerate the development and validation of a biomarker of Parkinson’s disease. A biomarker would help physicians accurately identify individuals at risk for Parkinson’s disease, serve as an indicator for the onset of neurodegeneration and the onset of clinical disease and would enable physicians to track disease progression. Read more (www.michaeljfox.org).
Genetic Determinants of Early-Onset Parkinson Disease
Vincenzo Bonifati, M.D., Ph.D.
Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands Source: National Parkinson Foundation, (www.parkinson.org)
The Role of Neural Stem Cells in the Repair of Parkinsonian Lesions
Steven C. Pruitt, Ph.D.
Health Research, Inc.
Buffalo, NY source: National Parkinson Foundation, (www.parkinson.org)
Making and Breaking Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons: A Genetic Approach to Investigate HIPK2-mediated Neuronal Development in Substantia Nigra
Eric Huang, M.D., Ph.D.
University of California at San Francisco
San Francisco, CA Source: National Parkinson Foundation, (www.parkinson.org)
Essential Role of Iron in Proteasome Inhibitor-Induced Nigral Cell Degeneration
Weidong Le, MD, PhD
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX Source: American Parkinson Disease Association, (www.apdaparkinson.org)
Study Examines Parkinson's Patch Rotigotine
Results from the first large-scale study of a skin patch treatment for Parkinson's disease show that the patch method seems to be as effective as traditional oral medications in treating the disease. Source: University of Rochester www.rochester.edu Articles can also be found at World Parkinson Disease Association www.wpda.org.
