YEAR ONE OF THE NEW BIOMARKER
THE MICHAEL J . FOX FOUNDATION 2024 YEAR IN REVIEW
Breakthrough Alpha-synuclein Imaging Tool Projected for 2025
An imaging tool capable of visualizing PD-related alphasynuclein clumps in real time would transform Parkinson ’ s care and research . By revealing what is happening inside the brain during the disease , it would enable doctors and researchers to diagnosis PD earlier , monitor changes in the brain over time and assess the effects of treatment .
MJFF has pursued alpha-synuclein imaging relentlessly . For more than a decade , the Foundation has led a consortium dedicated to the effort and committed significant funding to research groups developing alpha-synuclein tracers for PET imaging . Then in 2019 , the three-year , $ 10-million Ken Griffin Alpha-synuclein Imaging Competition , funded in large part through a leadership gift from the Citadel founder and CEO , helped to advance alpha-synuclein imaging like never before .
All three of the competition finalists — runners up AC Immune and Mass General Brigham and winner Merck — took major steps forward with their alpha-synuclein tracers .
Today , all three are testing tracers in human trials , and at least three other tracers are in human testing as well . Mass General Brigham and Merck both received crucial funding for the trials from MJFF .
Positive results from any of these trials could deliver the breakthrough alpha-synuclein imaging tool that the Parkinson ’ s field has long been seeking . The first results from these trials are expected in 2025 .
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