Funded Studies
Study Rationale: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex disorder involving the degeneration of specific brain cells that lead to severe impairments in movement and cognition. Although the exact cause of PD is not known, several studies have shown that mitochondrial dysfunction is an early and central event in the development of PD. Therefore, drugs that support the health and function of these cellular powerhouses could be useful PD therapeutics. In this study, we explore the benefits of a drug that stimulates the production of new mitochondria — a process called mitochondrial biogenesis.
Hypothesis: We hypothesize that by stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis, lasmiditan can prevent or slow the development of PD pathology in a preclinical model. Lasmiditan is FDA approved for the treatment of migraines and can be easily repurposed for treating PD.
Study Design: We will test the therapeutic efficacy of lasmiditan in a preclinical mouse model that captures many of the age-related, progressive features of human PD. Using this model, we will study the potential of lasmiditan to reduce pathology, and improve movement and cognition, in younger animals that represent the ‘early’ stages of PD. We will then determine whether lasmiditan is effective in controlling pathological changes and improving symptoms in aging mice in stages reminiscent of more ‘advanced’ PD.
Impact on Diagnosis/Treatment of Parkinson’s disease: Lasmiditan holds the potential to modify the disease process, and address both motor and non-motor symptoms of PD. If successful, this drug will have a genuine impact on the quality of life of individuals in early and/or later stages of PD.
Next Steps for Development: The successful completion of this project will lay the foundation for testing lasmiditan in a clinical setting and advancing its use to prevent or slow the progression of PD