Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that affects the whole body and mind. It is often only noticed when a person’s movements are altered. Symptoms begin when nerve cells in the brain stop working properly. The most affected cells can be those deep in the brain, responsible for making the chemical dopamine, a messenger necessary for smooth, controlled movements. The symptoms of Parkinson’s are varied but may start with the loss of ability to smell, constipation and sleep disturbances.
How The Florey is making a difference
The Florey has a number of research projects in its laboratories underway, including:
- Scientists looking for the cause of Parkinson’s disease are searching for possible factors that may trigger the disorder, and studying genetic factors to determine how genes could play a role.
- Other scientists are working on developing new protective drugs that can delay, prevent, or reverse the disease.
- Improved methods of diagnosis and treatment monitoring are being trialled.
Research projects
- Accelerating disease in patient iPS cells using the living brain model of MND & PD
- Biological inorganic chemistry of copper in the early ubiquitination pathways
- Cell therapy for brain repair focussing on Parkinson’s disease
- Development of antisense oligonucleotides to down-regulate alpha-synuclein as a potential treatment of Parkinson’s disease
- Does early life exposure to iron represent a risk for Parkinson’s disease?
More information
For further information and support, please contact Fight Parkinson’s on 1800 644 189.
Latest news
Latest Florey news on Parkinson’s disease
