Investigator:
Dr. Abdulmunaim Eid
Name of Institution:
Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Project Title:
The neurobiological basis of Parkinson’s disease clinical subtypes
Investigator Bio:
Dr. Abdulmunaim Eid is a Movement Disorders Fellow at Washington University in St. Louis. He graduated from Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine at Cairo University, Egypt. Subsequently, he completed a neurology residency at Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas. He also completed a one-year neuroimaging fellowship at the same institution. In addition, a large portion of his last year in residency and the following year in fellowship was spent conducting research in neurodegenerative dementias funded by Burroughs Wellcome Fund through Texas A&M Academy of Physician Scientists. Dr. Eid’s clinical and research interests relate to degenerative parkinsonism. He is currently studying the neurobiological basis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) clinical subtypes using multimodal neuroimaging and undergoing training in clinical movement disorders at Washington University in St. Louis.
Objective:
PD brings about a mix of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric issues, affecting patients’ quality of life and longevity. Recognizing distinct clinical subtypes is crucial for predicting disease progression and developing tailored treatments. Our research team has identified unique PD subtypes, such as ‘motor only,’ ‘cognitive & motor,’ and ‘psychiatric & motor,’ with distinct patterns of progression.
Background:
This project aims to uncover the biological differences between these subtypes using advanced neuroimaging methods.
Methods/Design:
This project will employ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study brain structure and functional networks, along with positron emission tomography (PET) to assess the presence of beta-amyloid, a significant protein implicated in some PD cases. Extensive datasets from individuals with PD and control participants, gathered at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Movement Disorders Center, will be used.
Relevance to Diagnosis/Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease:
This study builds upon a robust classification of PD clinical subtypes, using comprehensive neuroimaging data. This approach is essential for patient stratification, enabling more effective clinical trials that target those individuals most likely to benefit from specific interventions. Through multimodal neuroimaging, we aim to uncover the biological mechanisms underlying these subtypes, potentially revealing novel therapeutic targets to address specific aspects and subtypes of PD. This research holds the potential to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of PD, offering better outcomes for patients.