APDA Centers for Advanced Research received $800,000 in funding in 2021.
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 at the forefront of investigations into the causes, treatments, and finding the cure(s) for Parkinson’s disease.
APDA Parkinson’s Research Centers
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, 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
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
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
Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville
Dennis Dickson, MD, Director
APDA funding supports:
- Studies to identify novel gene mutations that contribute to Parkinsonism
- A range of clinical trials from gait in advanced PD to Lewy bodies of the gut
- A very active DBS program with 75-100 procedures performed per year
- Approximately 1,500 patients seen each year