Research

Parkinson's Victoria supports a range of basic and clinical research to improve the quality of life of people living with Parkinson' s. We also advocate via state, national and international forums for increased support for Parkinson' s research.

We welcome your financial support for Parkinson's research. Your tax deductible donation is welcome. You can also obtain details on how you can make a bequest. Through donations and bequests supporters can help fund valuable research projects.

Research aids in learning more about the mysteries of Parkinson’s and the way it impacts upon all aspects of life. Research also assists in developing new treatments – and, we anticipate, will result in a cure being discovered.

Parkinson’s Victoria plays a very important role in funding and supporting research into Parkinson’s. Our funded research seeks not only to find a cure for the condition, but also supports programs and studies with a view to assisting people to live with Parkinson’s, enhancing quality of life and independence.

Parkinson's Victoria has financially supported or partnered with the following research institutions in recent years:

Monash Institute of Neurological Diseases
Brain Bank Victoria
Swinburne University
Melbourne University
Deakin University
Michael J Fox Foundation
Howard Florey Institute

In addition, the Parkinson’s and wider community can play a vital role directly supporting research by participating in various studies. Research into Parkinson’s is ongoing and there are a number of projects currently taking place throughout Australia and internationally, varying in their scope, area of interest and level of participant involvement. Participating in Parkinson’s research is a unique way to assist further understanding of this neurological condition, and ultimately to improve the quality of life for those who are living with Parkinson’s, perhaps even assisting to find a cure. People with Parkinson’s, and also without Parkinson’s, can participate in Parkinson’s-related research projects.

Would you like to paricipate in a research project?

Visit the Participate in Research page to find out more about current projects.

Stem Cells

Curious about stem cell treatments?

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has recently launched a new website 'A closer look at Stem Cell treatments' which will provide consumers with expert knowledge about considerations to make when considering stem cell treatments. The website provides educational resources to help understand stem cell research and it addresses frequently asked questions. A key feature of the website is to look at online claims by clinics who promote stem cell treatments so that potential patients can make a better informed assessment of these treatments.

For more information visit www.closerlookatstemcells.org

The International Society for Stem Cell Research is an independent, nonprofit organisation established to promote and foster the exchange and dissemination of information and ideas relating to stem cells, to encourage the general field of research involving stem cells and to promote professional and public education in all areas of stem cell research and application.

The Australian Stem Cell Centre has prepared a media release which you can download

International Stem Cell Society to Provide Guidance on Unproven Stem Cell Treatments (June 2010)

The CSIRO is hosting a free public lecture on stem cell research, titled 'Stem Cell Therapies: Now and in the Future'

There has been huge interest in the area of stem cell research and our three expert speakers will present information on what is happening in their research areas now and where they see potential applications of this research in the future.

They will also form a panel discussion to answer questions from the public

Date: Tuesday, 27th July 2010

Time: 1:00 - 2:30pm

Venue: Bio21 Institute, 20 Flemington Rd, Parkville VIC

Speakers:

Professor Andrew Elefanty MB BS PhD FRACP
Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation Laboratory,
Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories

Dr Ngaire Elwood PhD
Director of the BMDI Cord Blood Bank and
Head, Cord Blood Stem Cell Research Program
at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

Associate Professor David Haylock PhD
Research Leader CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies

Visit: http://www.csiro.au/events/Stem-Cell-Lecture.html to register your attendance

Participate in research

There are many research studies taking place at the moment which are looking for participants. Participating in research is a wonderful and often enjoyable way in which the Parkinson's community can make a positive difference.

Visit the Research > Participate in Research section of this website to learn more about the many other research projects which are calling for participants.

Parkinson's Victoria supported research projects

Swinburne University
Professor Susan Moore, supported by Parkinson's Victoria and Swinburne Alumni, has published research on public attitudes on Parkinson's. The article, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, can be downloaded here Beliefs about Parkinson's Disease

Living with Parkinson's

"Watching my father battle the social difficulties presented by having Parkinson's for over 20 years has inspired this project", says Louise Cooper, researcher at Swinburne University. Reports from people with the illness indicate that relationships with friends, work colleagues and health providers can all make a difference as to how Parkinson's is experienced.

However, most of the social research into Parkinson's concentrates on relationships with wives, husbands or partners. It has been found, for instance, that in some cases tremors can increase when things are not going well between a husband and wife.

Louise Cooper and Dr Simon Knowles at Swinburne University are currently investigating the extent to which different types of relationships might influence the experience of the illness.

What role do friends play?
In the 21st century is it possible that the Internet might be able to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson's?

How influential are support groups?
Updates on this research project will be published here when they become available.

Deakin University

As part of a collaborative research project between Deakin University and Parkinson’s Victoria, Australian Huntington's Disease Association (Vic) Ltd, Motor Neurone Disease Association, and the MS Society of Victoria, Professor Marita McCabe and Dr. Lucy Firth and the above organisations are undertaking a research project to examine the impact of the financial costs of chronic neurological illness on the quality of life of people with these illnesses and their families.

Deakin University will examine changes to employment and income, and direct and indirect costs incurred due to these illnesses. The study is currently in phase one, which involves interviewing families and Health Professionals.

Michael J Fox Foundation

As part of our commitment to research we became the first international co-funder of the Michael J. Fox Foundation's 'Community Fast Track ' initiative. Under this program, researchers are invited to submit their best ideas for research relevant to the cure, cause, prevention or improved treatment of Parkinson's and its complications through an abbreviated application process.

This initiative is designed to stimulate novel, innovative and/or high-impact approaches to the field of Parkinson's and fill funding gaps missed by more conventional funding sources. In addition to its primary goals, the program has been successful in attracting new investigators to the field of Parkinson's.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is dedicated to the fastest possible end to Parkinson's and to date has funded nearly $35 million in research with another $10-15 million more to be spent by the end of this year. Parkinson's Victoria is proud to support such a vigorous effort to find a cure. For more information, visit www.michaeljfox.org

Melbourne University

Researchers from The University of Melbourne, Southern Health and Monash University have won a major international research grant to discover more about how to prevent falls and improve mobility in people with Parkinson's disease. Led by Professor Meg Morris from The School of Physiotherapy at The University of Melbourne and Kingston Centre and with Professor Robert Iansek, Dr Frances Huxham, Dr Jennifer McGinley, Dr Anna Murphy, Dr Hylton Menz and Ms Jennifer Watts, the study will evaluate the effects of different falls prevention and mobility enhancement strategies. As well as measuring falls and quality of life, the researchers will conduct an economic analysis of the costs associated with falls.

Parkinson's disease affects more than 80,000 Australians and more than 2 million people in the world. Over 50% of community dwelling people with Parkinson's disease fall and many suffer serious fractures and injuries. Professor Morris' team have specialised in Parkinson's for the last 10 years and have published more than 150 articles on how to improve walking, movement and balance.

Data will be collected at Kingston Centre and Elsternwick Private Hospitals. The results will immediately be used by clinicians at Kingston, Elsternwick and throughout the world, to improve the lives of people with this debilitating neurological condition. Enquiries to Professor Morris m.morris@unimelb.edu.au