Michael J Fox Foundation announces 2017 highlights

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Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 4 January 2018

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The Michael J Fox Foundation has announced that it provided US$80 million in funding to over 240 investigators from academia, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and governments in 2017.

The organisation, which was founded in 2000 by the actor and person with Parkinson’s Michael J Fox, has funded a range of projects, focusing on: investigating Parkinson’s biological pathways, laboratory tools to accelerate Parkinson’s research, and growing the online Fox Insight study.

The foundation also shared the significant research progress that was made in 2017, such as the advancement of alpha-synuclien clinical trials, the release of new drugs to manage motor symptoms and the emergence of key technologies that provide insights to scientists.

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New insights on immune cell process and Parkinson’s disease

Insoluble clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein, which can cause damage to brain cells, have been previously linked to Parkinson’s. Now, scientists in Germany, France and the US have uncovered new details on how brain cells respond to these clusters. The researchers discovered that the brain’s immune cells may be able to join together to break down the protein clumps. According to a press release, this was previously unknown. They also found that these neighbouring cells share mitochondria – structures that generate energy for chemical reactions – to help one another. In certain mutations associated with Parkinson’s, this process may be impaired. The researchers hope this insight could inform the development of new therapies. “We have opened the door to a field that will certainly engage researchers for many years to come,” said Professor Dr Michael Heneka, director of the Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry at the University Hospital…

Could analysing skin oil help diagnose Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease patients tend to have high levels of oil, known as sebum, on their skin’s surface. Now, a study has suggested that analysing this substance may help when diagnosing the condition. The study revealed that sebum contains significant amounts of genetic material, specifically the molecule ribonucleic acid (RNA). Analysis of RNA contained in sebum – that is, skin surface lipids RNA, or SSL-RNA – could offer insights into a person’s health. Researchers in Japan examined SSL-RNA in men and women with and without Parkinson’s. The results suggested that the SSL-RNA profiles of those with Parkinson’s had “different characteristics” than those without. The researchers then tested whether examining these profiles with machine learning could reveal those who had Parkinson’s – and who didn’t. The team’s algorithm indicated a “relatively robust discriminatory ability,” supporting the further use of SSL-RNA as part of a future “non-invasive” method for diagnosis.

‘Sonic hedgehog’ protein could impact Parkinson’s disease dyskinesia

Dyskinesia is often caused by extended use of the common Parkinson’s medication levodopa – and can be debilitating for those with the condition. Now, researchers in the US may have found a way to suppress these involuntary movements through a protein called ‘sonic hedgehog’. To conduct their study, the team administered levodopa and sonic hedgehog agonists to rodent and non-human primate models of the condition. The results revealed that dopamine neurons use the protein to communicate with other neurons thought to play a role in levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Increased signalling of sonic hedgehog pathways was found to reduce this dyskinesia – providing “novel insight” into its formation and a “potential therapeutic solution”. “What we find,” wrote corresponding study author Professor Andreas Kottmann, “is that in several animal models, by replacing … dopamine together with agonists that mimic the effects of sonic hedgehog, these dyskinesias can be very much suppressed.”

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Michael J Fox Foundation announces 2017 highlights

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 4 January 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Global update

Parkinson’s in the news: July

Interviews

John McLean: Parkinson’s has exposed me to new painting techniques

Advances

‘Project Emma’ tremor-reducing watch unveiled by Microsoft CEO

New insights on immune cell process and Parkinson’s disease

Could analysing skin oil help diagnose Parkinson’s disease?

‘Sonic hedgehog’ protein could impact Parkinson’s disease dyskinesia

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Michael J Fox Foundation announces 2017 highlights

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 4 January 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Global update

Parkinson’s in the news: July

Interviews

John McLean: Parkinson’s has exposed me to new painting techniques

Advances

‘Project Emma’ tremor-reducing watch unveiled by Microsoft CEO

New insights on immune cell process and Parkinson’s disease

Could analysing skin oil help diagnose Parkinson’s disease?

‘Sonic hedgehog’ protein could impact Parkinson’s disease dyskinesia

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