Funded Studies
Study Rationale:
Alpha-synuclein is a protein that clumps in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease (PD). These clumps have also been found in the brain and, recently, the retina -- the back of the eye -- of people with PD. This study aims to develop a non-invasive diagnostic tool for detecting alpha-synuclein clumps in the eye. The tool is a molecule that sticks to alpha-synuclein clumps and marks their location in the retina, making them visible under a special imaging device.
Hypothesis:
We aim to develop a non-invasive diagnostic tool for PD.
Study Design:
We will evaluate molecules for their ability to detect alpha-synuclein protein clumps in pre-clinical models with Parkinson's features.
Impact on Diagnosis/Treatment of Parkinson's disease:
This study has a potential to produce an objective measure (biomarker) of Parkinson's and tools for diagnosis of Parkinson's.
Next Steps for Development:
As a next step, we will select diagnostic molecules appropriate for clinical studies.