Funded Studies
Objective/Rationale:
Over activation of glutamate receptors may contribute to the loss of dopamine cells in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Research suggests that drugs that target these receptors may slow this degeneration. We aim to investigate if a drug that blocks a class of glutamate receptors, called kainate receptors, provides a novel therapy for slowing Parkinson’s disease progression.
Project Description:
We will administer our drug into the brains of pre-clinical models of PD and determine if it provides significant protection. We will compare the number of surviving dopamine neurons and levels of dopamine in the brain in models that received the drug to that in models that did not receive the drug. We will also determine the specific type of kainate receptors targeted by this drug, providing a platform for future development of drugs that also act on this class of glutamate receptors
Relevance to Diagnosis/Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease:
Our study will be the first to identify kainate receptors as potential targets for Parkinson’s disease treatment and will potentially demonstrate that drugs that block these receptors may slow disease progression.
Anticipated Outcome:
Our study has potential to identify an entirely new approach by which to achieve neuroprotection and slow disease process in Parkinson’s disease.