Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative

• Date: April 2012
• Professor Dominic Rowe
• Location:  Macquarie Neurology at Macquarie University Clinic,  Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW
  • Phone: (02) 9812 3743
  • Email: macneuro@me.com
  • Website: www.macquarieneurology.com.au

The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) is an observational research study to identify biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression. A biomarker is a substance or characteristic in our bodies that is associated with the presence of disease, or that changes over time in a way that can be linked to the progression of disease. An observational study means that study participants will undergo numerous tests and assessments of bodily processes related to PD, but will not receive an experimental drug or treatment. This study will use a combination of imaging techniques, collection of blood, urine, and spinal fluid, and clinical tests.

The information gathered from these procedures is critical to the future development of new and better treatments for Parkinson’s disease. PPMI is the first clinical study to assemble a population of sufficient size to collect this information, draw meaningful scientific conclusions over time, and try to develop better ways to measure the progression of PD.

The study is currently running underway in 21 sites throughout the United States and Europe. It is expected to take about five years.  The study team includes many clinicians and scientists who conduct research in Parkinson’s disease. It will be led by principal investigator Ken Marek, MD, President and Senior Scientist of the Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, New Haven, Connecticut.  Expansion of the study to Australia will make this a truly global study.

PPMI is sponsored by the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and funded in Australia by Shake It Up Australia Foundation

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Is the xenomitochondrial mouse an ‘ideal’ PD model?

Date: March 2012

Ian Andrew Trounce, PhD – Center for Eye Research Australia

Zane Andrews, PhD -Neuronal Metabolism and Degeneration Lab

David Moses MD, FRACP -Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Neurological Research

Funding: Shake It Up Australia Foundation & The Michael J.Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

The lack of a pre-clinical model that exhibits key features of human Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an impediment to research progress. In this project we will determine whether a novel genetically altered pre-clinical model, called the ‘xenomitochondrial’ pre-clinical model, has key features of PD lacking in other pre-clinical models. The pre-clinical model has relatively mild defects in a key mitochondrial pathway for energy generation. If we find key features of PD evolve with aging of this pre-clinical, it will open new research doors into therapy development.

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LRRK2 Physiology in Parkinson’s Disease

• Date:   November 2011
• Location:  Neuroscience Research Australia
• Prof Glenda Halliday & Dr Nic Dzamko

Objective/Rationale:

Mutations in the LRRK2 gene are a common cause of genetic Parkinson’s disease. LRRK2 is highly expressed in circulating and tissue immune cells. We have recently identified that LRRK2 is a component of the pathways involved in innate immunity. We aim to identify whether LRRK2 has a role in innate immunity using blood immune cells from donors with and without Parkinson’s disease as well as from pre-clinical models with genetically-modified LRRK2.

For further information on our research projects please contact us at enquiries@shakeitup.org.au or call us on 1300 361 803