Centers for Advanced Research

APDA Centers for Advanced Research received $800,000 in funding in 2018.

The Centers support large research programs which include: research trainees; fellowship programs; early stage discovery programs and later stage clinical translation. These Centers facilitate research which is at the forefront investigations in the causes, treatments and ultimately finding the cure(s) for Parkinson’s disease.

University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Medicine

David G. Standaert, MD, PhD, Director

APDA funding supports:

Studies of neuroinflammation, protein aggregation and oxidative stress in PD as well as the role of the microbiome
Multiple clinical trials including those testing novel drugs, DBS techniques and exercise intervention
An active DBS program with approximately 150 procedures performed per year
Approximately 6,800 patient visits per year

Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Clemens Scherzer, MD, Director

APDA funding supports:

Studies that probe the biology of PD-causing genetic mutations
A biomarker discovery program using specimens from more than 2,700 participants
A drug discovery program that utilizes technologies such as stem cells and big data analytics
Approximately 2,200 patients visits each year

Emory University School of Medicine

Thomas Wichmann, MD, Interim Director

APDA funding supports:

Studies aimed at understanding the brain pathways involved in PD
Clinical trials investigating treatments for wearing off, hallucinations, low blood pressure, daytime sleepiness and dementia
An active DBS program and approximately 80-100 procedures performed per year
Approximately 14,000 patient visits per year

Boston University School of Medicine

Marie Hélène Saint-Hilaire, MD, FRCP (C), Director

APDA funding supports:

Studies to identify potential PD biomarkers
Characterization of PD among various ethnic groups
Exercise intervention, wearable technology and attention training clinical trials
Approximately 4,000 patient visits per year

Washington University School of Medicine

Joel S. Perlmutter, MD, Director

APDA funding supports:

Studies of genetic and environmental risk factors of PD
Drug development for neuroprotection in PD
An active DBS program with 75-100 procedures performed yearly
Approximately 6,500 patient visits each year

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

M. Maral Mouradian, MD, Interim Director

APDA funding supports:

Studies of levodopa induced dyskinesias, DBS optimization and neuroprotection
Multiple clinical trials including ones for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
An active DBS program with 75-100 procedures performed per year
Approximately 4,200 patient visits per year

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

J. Timothy Greenamyre, MD, PhD, Director

APDA funding supports:

Studies of molecular and biochemical causes of PD and the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in causing PD
Gene therapy clinical trials
An active DBS program with approximately 70 procedures performed per year
Approximately 3,000 patient visits per year