World’s largest Parkinson’s study seeks 10,000 participants

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 22 November 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Predict-PD – a research project funded by Parkinson’s UK – is seeking volunteers to take part in what will be the world’s largest study on Parkinson’s.

The study – led by Queen Mary University of London, UK and University College London, UK – requires 10,000 volunteers aged 60 to 80 who have not been diagnosed with the condition.

Scientists will work with the participants using a variety of online assessments to develop a test that is able to diagnose Parkinson’s at an earlier rate than is currently possible.

Those taking part will be examined over a period of four years, completing tests on an annual basis until April 2021.

Dr Alastair Noyce, a neurologist who is leading the study along with Professor Anette Schrag at University College London, said: “We believe we can pick up people at least two years, if not five years, ahead of when they’d normally be diagnosed.”

To apply please visit the Predict-PD website.

To read more on this topic click here.

For more information on Parkinson’s diagnosis please visit the EPDA website.

Pfizer launches new biopharmaceutical company to develop Parkinson’s drugs

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

PD in Practice

How much do you know about Parkinson’s disease stages?

Find out how the condition progresses over time

Astronaut in space tweets praise to the delight of Parkinson’s painter

Painter is over the moon to receive recognition from astronaut

Pedalling for Parkinson’s

We talk to the founder of The Bike Box Project in New Bern, North Carolina

Wearable device for Parkinson’s disease raises $10m in funding

UK-based tech company Charco Neurotech has secured $10 million in seed investment funding to support the launch of a non-invasive wearable device designed for people with Parkinson’s disease. CUE1 is a circular device worn on the sternum, which is designed to help alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms through specialised vibrations that are personalised for each patient. The investment round, which was co-led by venture capital company Amadeus Capital Partners and growth fund managers Parkwalk Advisors, is the largest European seed financing in 2021 for a heath technology device – and the sixth largest globally. Lucy Jung, co-founder and CEO of Charco Neurotech, said: “This funding will enable us to proceed with our first, limited launch, while we work to ensure our manufacturing line is robust and produces consistent high quality devices.” Charco also recently announced a new partnership with the European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA), to help increase the availability of Charco’s…

Does Parkinson’s disease start in the nose?

An international team led by the University of Ottawa in Canada will study whether the scent-processing nerves inside the nose may play a part in the development of Parkinson’s disease. The researchers will explore potential connections between inflammation, environmental exposures in the nasal cavity, odour processing centres in the brain and Parkinson’s-related genes. The scientists hope that if the study indicates that Parkinson’s starts in the nose, early signs of the condition could potentially be detected sooner. This research, which will use human and animal models, has been made possible by a US $9m grant from the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) initiative, which aims to improve understanding of the causes of the condition. “This grant will allow us to explore an understudied but important aspect of Parkinson’s, which could lead to new approaches for early treatment and prevention,” said Professor Michael Schlossmacher, team leader of the study.

Study finds gene therapy may restore effects of Parkinson’s drug

Levodopa is a drug commonly used to treat Parkinson’s as it helps to increase dopamine levels in the brain and improve problems with movement. In later stages of the condition, however, this treatment can become less effective. Now, findings from a US preclinical study have suggested that a new gene therapy may help to restore the effects of levodopa in people with the condition. The researchers used mice models of Parkinson’s to test the effects of the gene therapy, targeting a small region in the brain where dopamine-releasing neurons are present. They found that the therapy increased the neurons’ ability to convert levodopa to dopamine – and discovered that damage to the mitochondria in dopamine-releasing neurons may be enough to trigger Parkinson’s onset. The scientists hope their findings will encourage the development of therapies to preserve the function of these neurons, and support patients in the later stages of Parkinson’s.

All fields required

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Country of residence*
About me*
- I have Parkinson's disease
- I am a partner / carer / family / friend of someone who has Parkinson's
- I am a healthcare professional with an interest in Parkinson's
- I work for a Parkinson's disease organisation
- Other
CAPTCHA
*
- By proceeding you agree to our
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

World’s largest Parkinson’s study seeks 10,000 participants

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 22 November 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

PD in Practice

How much do you know about Parkinson’s disease stages?

Global update

Astronaut in space tweets praise to the delight of Parkinson’s painter

Interviews

Pedalling for Parkinson’s

Wearable device for Parkinson’s disease raises $10m in funding

Does Parkinson’s disease start in the nose?

Study finds gene therapy may restore effects of Parkinson’s drug

{title}

Subscribe

World’s largest Parkinson’s study seeks 10,000 participants

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 22 November 2018

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

PD in Practice

How much do you know about Parkinson’s disease stages?

Global update

Astronaut in space tweets praise to the delight of Parkinson’s painter

Interviews

Pedalling for Parkinson’s

Wearable device for Parkinson’s disease raises $10m in funding

Does Parkinson’s disease start in the nose?

Study finds gene therapy may restore effects of Parkinson’s drug

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in