APDA launches new awards program to sustain research
Three researchers receive Bridge Funding to keep Parkinson's projects going
- APDA launched new Bridge Funding Awards to support Parkinson's disease research.
- Awards sustain projects on nerve cell generation and alpha-synuclein reduction.
- Funding also backs research into rhythmic cues to improve walking in Parkinson's.
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) has announced three recipients of its inaugural Bridge Funding Awards, a program designed to support promising Parkinson’s disease research when unexpected gaps in funding occur.
The awards were open specifically to researchers APDA has funded within the past three years, helping ensure continuity for their research programs. The selected projects include work on generating nerve cells for future cell therapies, developing an assay to identify compounds that may reduce alpha-synuclein clumping and neurodegeneration, and testing whether rhythmic cues can improve walking in people with Parkinson’s.
“This program reflects APDA’s deep commitment to the scientists behind the breakthroughs,” said Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD, APDA’s chief mission officer, in an association press release. “When researchers face abrupt funding losses, their critical work, and sometimes their careers, can be derailed. We acted quickly to make sure that didn’t happen.”
Why APDA created the new Bridge Funding Awards
Considering the challenging funding climate for Parkinson’s research, APDA launched the Bridge Funding Awards to support researchers who have experienced a funding interruption and to help ensure their projects can continue without disruption.
Three researchers were selected to receive one-year awards totaling $205,000 in support. Awardees include Dong Yang, PhD, from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York; Helen Hwang, MD, PhD, from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis; and Franchino Porciuncula, from Boston University.
Yang’s project, called “Characterizing and modeling the development of human A9 midbrain dopaminergic neurons with pluripotent stem cells,” aims to generate dopaminergic neurons, the nerve cells that are lost in Parkinson’s, from pluripotent stem cells. These stem cells can develop into nearly any type of cell in the body, including nerve cells.
The project will focus on generating an A9 midbrain dopaminergic neuron subtype by understanding the molecular pathways that guide their development. These neurons are involved in motor control and are particularly vulnerable to degeneration in Parkinson’s. Results from this project may contribute to the development of novel cell-replacement therapies.
Hwang’s project, “Characterization of inhibitors of alpha-synuclein fibril growth,” aims to create a cellular model to test whether drug candidates can inhibit the growth of alpha-synuclein fibrils, a hallmark of Parkinson’s.
Alpha-synuclein fibrils are small structures formed when abnormal alpha-synuclein protein folds into an unusual shape, making it prone to clumping. These structures are believed to contribute to disease progression, and studies suggest disease severity is correlated with alpha-synuclein levels in the brain.
Hwang aims to optimize an immunoassay to detect the levels of alpha-synuclein fibrils using antibodies, and then use cellular models to test if existing drugs can prevent fibril formation. This may help identify compounds that could slow or prevent neuron degeneration in Parkinson’s.
We will continue to explore new ways to help Parkinson’s researchers weather the challenges of today’s funding environment so their important work can keep moving forward.
Porciuncula’s project, titled “Does rhythmic auditory stimulus reduce the cognitive demands of walking in Parkinson’s disease?“, will investigate how rhythmic cues affect the attention needed during walking.
The loss of walking automaticity may increase the attention required during walking, potentially compromising walking quality and stability. Researchers will assess whether rhythmic auditory stimulation can reduce cognitive load and promote rhythmic stepping, thereby easing automaticity during daily walking for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Rhythmic auditory stimulation uses steady beats or music to help people move, with rhythm acting as a guide that helps the brain and body maintain a steady pattern.
According to APDA, these projects have demonstrated scientific merit but have faced funding disruptions. APDA’s support will help these investigators continue their research, retain core team members, and advance their work for future funding opportunities.
“We are proud that APDA could step in quickly to make a difference,” Gilbert said. “We will continue to explore new ways to help Parkinson’s researchers weather the challenges of today’s funding environment so their important work can keep moving forward.”
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