Our research has a strong focus on Parkinson's disease. While the cause, or more likely, causes of Parkinson's disease is not known we do know that some factors increase the risk of an individual developing this disorder. These factors include: an older age, living in a rural environment, being a non-smoker, exposure to some herbicides and pesticides. Although in rare cases Parkinson's disease can be inherited, the vast majority of cases of Parkinson's disease are not inherited. Nevertheless having a family history of the disease can increase the risk for this disorder, probably because some families pass on in their genes an increased vulnerability to this disorder. Currently it is thought that the causes of most cases of Parkinson's disease is likely to result from a complex interaction between many factors, some of which are inherited and some of which are environmental.
Problem symptoms in Parkinson's disease
We have been concentrating on understanding the cellular causes for falls, some types of pain, visual hallucinations and dementia. Longitudinal neuropsychological assessment over 20 years has been completed to determine the prevalence and different types of dementia that occur in Parkinson's disease. We have also been conducting a drug trial to determine if cholinesterase inhibitors can successfully treat visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease.
Progressive supranuclear palsy & multiple system atrophy
A series of different studies to determine cellular changes over time and early objective measures to predict these changes during life for the future development of therapeutic interventions. New studies will assess proteins identified as genetically involved in Parkinson's disease to determine any role in progressive supranuclear palsy or multiple system atrophy.
Dementia with Lewy bodies
Assessment of the new diagnostic criteria in a large number of longitudinally followed patients, and cellular changes in the brain unique to cases with pure dementia with Lewy bodies. Identification of families with pure autopsy-proven dementia with Lewy bodies to determine major genetic influences and causes. Comparison of brain changes in families clinically diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease without dementia.
Dominant genetic influences on Alzheimer's disease
Determine whether the genes currently used to model Alzheimer's disease cause the same brain changes as those observed in non-familial cases with Alzheimer's disease.
Frontotemporal dementia syndromes
A series of studies using a variety of techniques to identify cellular changes over time in the different forms of frontotemporal dementia. These different pathological forms of the disease can not be differentiated clinically, and new studies will develop objective biological measures to differentiate these patients in the clinic. Cellular and animal models will be used to further understand how the pathological changes are caused at a cellular level.
The cause of symptoms in patients with neurodegenerative disorders is a gradual deterioration in brain cells in only certain parts of the brain, and the type of symptom observed depends on the type of cell and brain region affected. No one currently knows what causes brain cells to die in any neurodegenerative condition. In a small number of people genetic abnormalities, toxins or drugs, or head trauma appear to play a role.
Our research aims to identify the sequence of cellular changes occurring in neurodegenerative disorders for targeted interventions. We are particularly focussed on the earliest changes observed and on how such changes may be identified in clinical settings. Our research also focuses on understanding the influence of different genetic traits and protein abnormalities in these disorders. We are currently studying a number of neurodegenerative movement disorders including Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy and multiple system atrophy. We are also studying a number of neurodegenerative dementia syndrome concentrating on dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia syndromes, but also on Alzheimer's disease.
Several different approaches are being used to understand how differences in genetic makeup either cause or influence the onset, progression and pathology of Parkinson's disease.