Will you be attending URJ's 2015 Biennial? The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) will be there hosting a panel presentation on the genetics of Parkinson's disease (PD) in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. Join MJFF's Senior Associate Director of Research Partnerships Vanessa Arnedo as she leads a panel of Parkinson's experts and patients through a discussion on Ashkenazim and Parkinson's genetics. Hear about the genetic mutations that are more common in Ashkenazi Jews than the general population, their promise for Parkinson's research and how the Jewish community can participate in the pursuit of cure.

The session will take place on Thursday, November 5 at 11:15 a.m. in Grand 6. Join us for the discussion and meet our staff in the exhibition hall to learn how to get involved. 

Our Risk, Our Opportunity: Parkinson’s Disease, Genetic Factors and Ashkenazi Jews  (Grand 6)

Over the past decade, increased understanding of Parkinson’s genetics has re-energized research to develop improved treatments for Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, identifying and learning from people who carry Parkinson’s-related mutations, whether they have PD or not, can be extremely valuable. In particular, people of Ashkenazi heritage — who are more likely than the general population to carry such mutations — have a critical role to play.

MODERATOR:
Vanessa Arnedo, Senior Associate Director, Research Partnerships, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

PANELISTS:
Dr. Stewart Factor, Director, Movement Disorders Program, Emory University School of Medicine
Dr. Tatiana Foroud, Director of Hereditary Diseases and Family Studies, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University
Karen Jaffe, Retired Ob/Gyn; Person with Parkinson’s; Co-Founder, Shaking with Laughter
Marc Jaffe, Comedian; PPMI participant; Co-Founder, Shaking with Laughter

For more information on MJFF's flagship study investigating genetic mutations associated with Ashkenazi heritage, visit michaeljfox.org/ppmi.