Related Research Questions

What are the best methods for testing the efficacy of novel neuroprotective therapeutics in pre-clinical models?
An important step in moving novel neuroprotective agents towards the clinic involves testing the efficacy of therapeutics in preclinical models.  Many different preclinical models are available ... 
Responses: 15
What are the biological and psychosocial mechanisms of the placebo response, and how can we manage and/or tap the placebo response in PD clinical trials?
As is the case in other diseases, the current gold standard methodology for testing the efficacy of experimental Parkinson’s disease therapeutics involves the placebo-controlled study ... 
Responses: 10
What is the relationship between LRRK2 and synuclein? And Tau?
Mutations in the gene coding for the putative kinase LRRK2 represent some of the most prevalent genetic factors yet linked to Parkinson’s disease, but how these alterations lead to PD-related ... 
Responses: 4
How can oxidative stress contribute to alpha-synuclein pathology/toxicity? What oxidative modifications of alpha-synuclein are relevant to the PD pathogenic process?
There is evidence of oxidative damage in brains of PD patients and anti-oxidant therapies have been explored as disease-modifying therapies for PD. Alpha-synuclein aggregation - in the form of Lewy ... 
Responses: 2
What species of alpha-synuclein should be targeted for development of PD therapies?
Current theory suggests a possible toxic oligomeric or aggregated form of alpha-synuclein as the trigger for subsequent neurodegeneration in PD, but definitive evidence for this is lacking. Proposed ... 
Responses: 5
What are the benefits to sharing a pre-clinical research model, other than scientific collaboration?
Widespread availability of critical research tools is necessary for rapid progress in PD research. Researchers may find, however, that the process for doing so can be time-consuming. Distribution of ... 
Responses: 5
Can induced pluripotent stem cells be used to generate useful Parkinson's disease cell models?
The demonstration that forced expression of only a handful of genes can 'reprogram' adult human skin cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells (with properties of embryonic stem cells) has ... 
Responses: 7
How can we improve brain delivery of trophic factors? The Myth of Convection Enhanced Delivery?
The direct delivery of proteins and genes to the brain by surgical techniques is hampered by the limited diffusion of the molecules into the target area. Convection Enhanced Delivery utilizes ... 
Responses: 6
The challenges of clinical trial design in PD therapeutics development: what are the strengths and weaknesses of novel and traditional approaches?
PD therapeutics development presents many trial design challenges, such as, for example, the difficulty of measuring changes in disease progression, and the inherent variability in clinical ... 
Responses: 2
Does GDNF still have potential as a treatment for Parkinson's disease?
The decision by Amgen to halt the GDNF human trials was met with controversy and a vocal response from the patient community.  While some serious concerns were raised regarding the safety of ... 
Responses: 23