Research

Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell is studying the role of gut microbiota in Parkinson’s disease. She is investigating how certain strains of bacteria in the gut may trigger inflammation or cause toxic proteins to move from the gut to the brain, leading to neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s. Her research could lead to treatments targeting gut dysfunction, such as managing constipation, as well as dietary changes and probiotics.

Dr. Deepa Dash is testing an integrated care network for people with Parkinson’s disease in the intermediate stages, aiming to improve symptom management between specialist visits. Dash hopes this approach will empower patients and caregivers, enhance self-management, and improve health outcomes.

Stiffness and freezing of gait in people with Parkinson’s disease are challenging to treat, as current therapies like levodopa and deep brain stimulation are often ineffective. At the University of Calgary, PhD student Linda Kim is researching a new target for improving walking difficulties.

Parkinson’s is typically diagnosed based on motor symptoms, with no early objective tests available. Dr. Juan Li, at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, is working on a model called PREDIGT that aims to improve diagnosis and predict who might develop PD in the future.

Neurological diseases affect millions of Canadians, yet understanding their molecular causes remains challenging. To address this, Dr. Mizumoto is using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to study neural circuit development. With only 302 neurons and a short life cycle, C. elegans offers an ideal model for exploring neuron communication and synapse formation.

Researchers often assess treatment impact using generic questionnaires, but these may not fully capture the experiences of people with Parkinson’s disease. At McMaster University, Assistant Professor Ayse Kuspinar is developing a questionnaire specifically for PD patients to reflect their unique concerns.

Parkinson’s disease affects millions globally, and there is no standard treatment to halt its progression. A promising approach involves targeting the protein glucocerebrosidase (GCase), as boosting its activity could slow PD’s advancement.

Inflammation and genetics are two key factors linked to Parkinson’s disease, but neither alone may trigger the disease. Dr. Michael Schlossmacher, from the University of Ottawa Research Institute, is studying the interaction between inflammation and a gene mutation, LRRK2, found in people with PD.

At the University of British Columbia, neuroscientist Jordan Follett is studying the retromer complex, which plays a key role in RNA sorting within cells. Follett’s research focuses on how mutations in this complex can disrupt the proper positioning of RNA, a crucial step for protein production, especially in dopamine-producing neurons.