Research
FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES LATEST
RESEARCH FUNDING PRIORITIES
by KRISTEN TEESDALE
The Michael J. Fox Foundation dedicates
generously donated funds to promising
science as quickly as possible to fill the
pipeline with new and better treatments. At
the time of publication, MJFF was accepting
applications for funding to address patients’
most pressing needs and advance Parkinson’s
research in the following areas:
TREATING GAIT AND BALANCE
DISTURBANCES
Gait and balance problems are some of the
most dangerous Parkinson’s symptoms, as
they can lead to falls. One of our funding
programs asks applicants to propose non-
drug treatments for gait and balance. We’re
looking for projects that use physical and
occupational therapy techniques or new
technologies to help people avoid or manage
these troublesome aspects of life with PD.
Parkinson’s and to propose new ways to target
their dysfunction and stop disease.
FINDING A TEST FOR PARKINSON’S
Measuring differences in the cells of people with
Parkinson’s disease could help develop tests
to diagnose or track disease. These advances
would transform the pursuit of a cure by
decreasing time and costs of clinical trials. This
new funding program asks scientists to look at
three cellular parts or processes that don’t work
well in Parkinson’s to develop tests for PD:
PURSUING NEW WAYS TO STOP
PARKINSON’S
People with Parkinson’s urgently need
therapies to slow or stop disease. Leading
targets for such treatments are found in the
proteins alpha-synuclein and GBA. Two new
funding programs are looking for projects to
better understand the role of these proteins in
» How cells recycle used proteins
» Cell “fingerprints” that are released into body
fluids such as blood and urine
» How the cell breaks down or stores fats
Log on and Learn
On the third Thursday of every month, The Michael J. Fox
Foundation hosts webinars featuring researchers and
people with Parkinson’s to learn about various aspects of
living with PD and the Foundation’s work to speed medical
breakthroughs. A Q&A session with participants follows the
discussion. Register for the coming month’s session and view
previous webinars at michaeljfox.org/webinars.
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The Fox Focus