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 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
Will drugs that reduce transmission through the indirect pathway of the striatal movement circuit have neuroprotective/disease modifiying effects?
Loss of dopaminergic suppression (leading to greater activity) of the 'indirect' striatopallidal pathway in the basal ganglia is believed to be a possible cause of motor loss in people with ... 
Responses: 1
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
Smoking has been determined as the most significant 'protective' environmental factor for risk of developing Parkinson's disease. How should we leverage this finding to develop novel therapeutic strategies?
A history of smoking or use of tobacco products has been linked with a reduced risk for developing PD. It remains to be determined which chemicals in smoking may be protective or whether there ... 
Responses: 3
Can the action of compensatory mechanisms be distinguished from pathological processes in a progression biomarker correlation study?
The cardinal PD motor symptoms do not rise to the clinically dectectable level until there has already been substantial neurodegeneration in the nigro-striatal pathways.  The mechanisms that ... 
Responses: 2