The Foundation supports research across basic, translational and clinical science to speed breakthroughs that can lead to the creation of new treatments and a better quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease.
Search or browse funded studies
Previously funded studies appear chronologically, with the most recent appearing first.
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Target Validation, 2009Upregulation of MsrA: A Neuroprotective Strategy for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
Objective/Rationale:
The death of neurons in the brains of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients involves a buildup of agents that cause oxidative stress, resulting in damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA... -
Target Validation, 2009Pharmacological Regulation of Endogenous GDNF Expression in the Adult Brain
Objective/Rationale:
GDNF is a potent trophic factor for dopamine neurons in the adult brain. Exogenous GDNF supplementation strategies, however, are fraught with technical difficulties associated with... -
Target Validation, 2009The Polo Like Kinases (PLK2 and PLK3) as Therapeutic Targets for Parkinson's Disease
Objective/Rationale:
Phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein at serine 129 is characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD) and related alpha-synulceinopathies. Unraveling the role of phosphorylation in... -
Target Validation, 2009The Therapeutic Role of CMA-MEF2D in the Survival of DA Neurons
Objective/Rationale:
Parkinson’s Disease is caused by the death of a particular group of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the brain. Our recent studies revealed that a nuclear protein named MEF2D is... -
Target Validation, 2009SHP-2 Phosphatase: A New Pharmacological Target for Parkinson's Disease?
Objective/Rationale:
Levodopa, the most effective therapy for Parkinson’s disease, induces severe involuntary movements termed dyskinesias. The development of these motor dysfunctions has been... -
Target Validation, 2009Validation of Nurr1 as a Drug Target for the Treatment of PD
Objective/Rationale:
Pharmacological methods to prevent or delay the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are not available. We propose that Nurr1, a protein found in these...

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