PMDC funds three interdisciplinary scientific investigations
The VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center awarded $50,000 each to three VCU investigators researching neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease and other types of movement disorders.
Now in its third year, the PMDC Pilot Grant program gained a new philanthropic sponsor, with the Joan and Morgan Massey Foundation providing $50,000 to the PMDC to fund one of the grants.
The projects and recipients are:
Examination of a GBA-RTK-α- synuclein axis in cellular models of Parkinson’s disease
- Santiago Lima, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, VCU College of Humanities and Sciences
- Jason Newton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, VCU College of Humanities and Sciences
Mutations in the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GBA) is found in 5-15% of patients with Parkinson’s disease. This investigation will study how the mutation alters cell signaling and contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease. The study could help enhance scientific knowledge of how GBA mutations can lead to neurodegeneration and the development of Parkinson’s disease and uncover potential therapeutic targets to treat or prevent the disease from developing. This pilot grant was funded through a grant from the Joan and Morgan Massey Foundatio
Epigenetic mechanisms for chronic memory impairment following repeated exposure to organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos
- Laxmikant Deshpande, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Neurology, VCU School of Medicine
- Joseph McClay, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, VCU School of Pharmacy
Deshpande and McClay are building on a previous PMDC pilot grant funded study and are investigating the role of organophosphates, a chemical used in pesticides and other products, in neurodegenerative disorders and cognitive decline. They will be assessing the epigenetic and gene expression changes that occur in preclinical models with organophosphate-induced memory deficits. This could help provide critical insight on how pesticide exposure can lead to an increased risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, and the novel data on the importance of the epigenome in developing and treating pesticide-induced neurological dysfunction.
Group-based intervention for insomnia in Parkinson’s disease
- Natalie Dautovich, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, VCU College of Humanities and Sciences
- Sarah Lageman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, VCU School of Medicine
This investigation will attempt to develop a better way to treat insomnia, a common and bothersome non-motor symptom in Parkinson’s disease. In their study, the investigators aim to assess the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral intervention for insomnia in Parkinson’s disease. This grant will help adapt an established method to treat insomnia to the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease in a group setting potentially enabling the development of a novel and effective patient-centered treatment.
Funding is made possible from partners such as the Joan and Morgan Massey Foundation.
Says Brian Berman, M.D., a professor in the Department of Neurology and director of the PMDC: “By combining expertise across different disciplines, the researchers who receive grants are able to answer more complex scientific questions and ultimately have a greater impact on patients affected by Parkinson’s or other types of movement disorder. More research of this kind will ultimately lead to scientific advances that positively impact the quality of life for individuals living with these disorders.” “It increases the potential of our funded research to have a transformative impact on the lives of those at risk or suffering from movement disorders.”
The Pilot Grants program was founded in 2021 to provide initial funding to research projects that aim to improve clinical care for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.
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