Each one of APDA’s nine Centers for Advanced Research conducts an exceptional array of Parkinson’s disease (PD) research activities, and we will highlight each one through the A Closer Look blog. In past blogs, we have introduced you to our Centers for Advanced Research at Yale and at Washington University. Today we will spotlight our research center at Emory University School of Medicine, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Emory APDA Center for Advanced Research is led by Dr. Thomas Wichmann, the A. Worley Brown Professor of Neurology and Associate Director of the Movement Disorders Clinic at Emory University. There are several major findings emerging from Emory’s ongoing work—here is why they are exciting and why they matter for people living with Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s Research Underway at Emory
Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease
PD is typically diagnosed once motor symptoms have begun, by which point significant loss of dopamine-producing neurons has already occurred. The field of PD research has been trying to move up the timeline of diagnosis, allowing for its earlier detection, and potentially, for earlier intervention.
In order to do this, researchers at Emory are working to better understand the biological processes that occur long before motor symptoms develop. To that end, Emory is developing novel PET imaging tracers to detect alpha-synuclein aggregates in live brain imaging. Alpha-synuclein accumulation is a hallmark of PD, and it cannot be visualized through currently available imaging technologies. Identifying these changes in an imaging test could allow clinicians to recognize the biological hallmarks of PD early and intervene before irreversible damage has occurred.
This novel PET imaging tracer has been modified and optimized through a number of steps. The researchers at Emory under the leadership of Dr. Steven Liang have successfully synthesized the tracer and validated the radiolabeling. Initial imaging studies have been conducted in mice to evaluate tracer distribution in different regions of the brain.
Deeper Understanding of Freezing of Gait
Gait and balance impairments are disabling symptoms of PD that often lead to hospital or even nursing home admission of patients. One particularly problematic gait pattern associated with PD is called freezing of gait, in which there are episodes of sudden and unpredictable loss of gait control and the person’s feet seem stuck in place while their upper body wants to move forward. Emory researchers have conducted several studies aiming to understand freezing of gait, including:
- Quantifying the severity of these impairments through cutting-edge motion laboratory and force-plate testing.
- Studying the link(s) between the development of freezing episodes and that of cognitive impairments in patients with PD.
- Learning about the potential positive and negative impacts of functional surgical interventions (specifically deep brain stimulation, DBS) on freezing. This is particularly important because previous studies into the effects of DBS on freezing and other gait and balance impairments in patients with PD have resulted in conflicting results. The Emory studies seek to identify the reason(s) for these discrepancies, with the obvious goal of identifying methods or stimulation conditions that may remedy freezing episodes.
Moving Beyond Symptom Management
Even though the most commonly recognized symptoms of PD are associated with movement, many patients experience symptoms that extend well beyond mobility issues. There has been growing recognition that these non-motor symptoms have a profound impact on daily life, and this is reflected in the research at Emory as well.
One APDA-supported project at Emory involves the investigation of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. PD can impair the autonomic nervous system, which controls functions of the human body that are not under conscious control, such as the maintenance of blood pressure, urination, and digestion.
Many people with PD can experience blood pressure swings when they transition from lying down to sitting to standing, a phenomenon referred to as neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. These fluctuations can lead to dizziness and lightheadedness and can even cause episodes of passing out. Failure of the regulation of blood pressure can also be related to cognitive changes.
Emory is conducting a study comparing healthy participants to patients with PD (with and without such autonomic failure). All participants underwent vascular and autonomic testing. Preliminary results show an association between cardiovascular autonomic failure in PD and poor peripheral vascular health, suggesting that abnormal blood pressure regulation may contribute to arterial stiffness and impaired blood vessel function, thereby contributing to high cardiovascular risk. The researchers at Emory will enroll and analyze more patients to help understand this relationship that could lead to better monitoring and treatments aimed at protecting both cardiovascular and brain health for PD patients.
Other projects at Emory are looking at a variety of other non-motor symptoms, such as:
Focusing on both motor and non-motor symptoms of PD is imperative to have the best chance of improving quality of life.
Investigating New Therapeutic Targets to Treat PD
Treatment options for PD are designed to manage symptoms and do not alter the fundamental processes that cause neurodegeneration. A major focus of research is to address this unmet need—finding a treatment that will slow, stop, or prevent disease progression. Emory is looking at several promising areas, including:
- Alpha-synuclein biology
- Neuroinflammation
- Gene therapy
- Lysosomal dysfunction
Bridging Lab Discoveries and Clinical Care
A vital component of the work of Emory’s APDA Center for Advanced Research is explaining their research to the PD community. To that end, many of the researchers at the Center present at “Lunch and Learn” events and support groups in collaboration with APDA to get the word out about their research. When people understand PD research progress, it becomes easier to feel hopeful about what’s ahead. APDA Center research is also featured at the annual Udall Center ‘Community Conversations’ event, where Emory PD researchers engage in small group discussions about their research with patients, family members, and other members of the community. In August 2025, the APDA Georgia Chapter hosted a Live Well Symposium focusing on APDA-funded research. Speakers included Jamie Hatcher-Martin, MD (Brains and Bytes: AI’s Role in Parkinson’s Care and Research), Lucas McKay, PhD, MSCR (AI for PD in Clinics and Laboratories), Mariangela Scarduzio, PhD (Acetylcholine in L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia), and Lena Ting, PhD (Your Brain on Balance). A similar event will take place on August 22, 2026. Click here to register!
Why This Research Matters
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is proud to support nine Centers for Advanced Research which along with a variety of funded grants and fellowships, are the backbone of our research program. At the Centers, some of the most compelling PD research is underway—research that keeps us optimistic and hopeful for the future.
The research at Emory reflects several of the most important directions currently shaping the field of PD research:
- Understanding disease biology earlier
- Treating both motor and non-motor symptoms
- Identifying disease-modifying therapies
- Explaining lab discoveries to people with PD
Emory’s continued efforts are helping to build a strong scientific foundation to understand PD and treat it better.
Tips & Takeaways
- APDA funds nine Centers for Advanced Research, one of which is at Emory University. These Centers are on the forefront of PD research.
- Earlier diagnosis remains a major priority in PD research.
- Non-motor symptoms are receiving greater research attention
- Disease-modifying therapies continue to drive current PD research.
- One of the key activities of an APDA CAR is translating research findings to people with PD.
- If you are interested in supporting APDA’s research efforts, please make a donation today.
This blog was written by Clark Jones, PhD, and was reviewed, edited, and approved by Dr. Rebecca Gilbert.