NEW PARKINSON’S DISEASE TREATMENTS IN THE PIPELINE
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) research is ever-changing, with new treatments and medications being explored and developed all the time. Some of the most exciting research initiatives are targeting neuroprotection, as well as motor and non-motor symptoms.
As these research projects and clinical trials are underway, the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) wants to keep you updated on what these researchers find, and how it may affect you or someone you love with PD.
Exciting Research Grants Awarded
APDA has awarded $2.35 million to support cutting-edge PD research for the 2022-2023 year. The funded research projects study a range of important topics including: understanding the molecular underpinnings of anxiety in PD, probing the role of DNA damage in causing genetic mutations in PD, and testing the use of augmented reality in treating freezing of gait.
Grants have been awarded in the form of four Post-Doctoral Fellowships, thirteen Research Grants, one Diversity in Parkinson’s Disease Research grant, eight APDA Centers for Advanced Research, and one George C. Cotzias Memorial Fellowship, APDA’s most prestigious award.
Dr. Sunil Kumar, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging at The University of Denver, Colorado, received a research grant from APDA in September 2021. His project is entitled “Identification of novel targets associated with alphasynuclein aggregation.” His research includes studying clumped protein in the brain — a main characteristic of the pathology of PD.
Dr. Kumar has continued his research after receiving an additional grant for a second year. This year, his research will delve deeper into identifying small molecules that can specifically bind to the sections of alpha-synuclein that are necessary in order for the protein to form clumps.
Researchers like Dr. Kumar remain passionate in their efforts to find new treatments for Parkinson’s disease. To learn more about APDA’s research grants, visit the research page on our website.