Our pre-clinical, or laboratory based, research
Cure Parkinson’s is an international funder of both preclinical and clinical research.
Before an experimental treatment can be tested in humans, there needs to be evidence that it works in laboratory models of Parkinson’s; this information helps provide a case for support in taking the treatment forward into clinical testing in people.
In addition to our extensive clinical trials programme, we also fund preclinical research to determine if a treatment has potential as a Parkinson’s therapy. We are selective in the nature of preclinical research we fund; the studies must be focused on changing the course of Parkinson’s (disease modifying) and must be within 5 years of reaching the clinic.
Preclinical research supported by us includes screening clinically approved drugs that inhibit particular Parkinson’s-associated proteins. We also fund studies investigating novel agents (that are being clinically developed for other medical conditions) in the laboratory to determine if they should be repurposed for Parkinson’s.
More information about our pre-clinical work
The lonafarnib pre-clinical study Our 2022 research summary Cure Parkinson’s announces new role: Head of Pipeline ResearchAlpha-synuclein or Tau in Parkinson’s?
The build-up of a protein called alpha-synuclein has been considered one of the hallmarks of Parkinson’s. Recently, however, a group of scientists have called into question the ‘bad guy’…
A Review of Our 2023 Preclinical Projects
In 2023, Cure Parkinson’s has funded five new preclinical projects. These preclinical projects address a wide range of ‘targets’ to understand which drugs and which targets should be further…
A new potential biomarker for Parkinson’s
Researchers at Duke University have recently presented data on a new potential biomarker for Parkinson’s.
Our first pipeline project of research
Our first project from our Research Pipeline Acceleration Programme is now underway. Professor Michael Schwarzchild is investigating evidence needed to determine if three iLCT-evaluated compounds are ready to progress…
‘Seeing’ the early signs of Parkinson’s
Researchers from University College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital investigated retinal imaging as a potential diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s. The group found changes in the retinas in people with…
New mRNA activators for Parkinson’s
Research evidence has suggested that in Parkinson’s there is some disruption to a process involved in protein production within cells. This process is known as ‘m6A mRNA methylation’, and…
The lonafarnib pre-clinical study
This research led by Professor Joe Mazzulli, will, it is hoped, give us a better understanding of how lonafarnib can reduce the build-up of the toxic protein alpha-synuclein which…
Diabetes dual agonist drugs for Parkinson’s
Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (or GLP-1R) agonists are recognised as a frontline treatment for diabetes. Researchers have recently been developing the next generation of treatment for diabetes which target…
Neurotrophic Factor GDF5 – an alternative to GDNF?
Neurotrophic factors are small protein that are naturally produced in the brain to help nurture and protect nerve cells (neurons). Cure Parkinson’s is a strong supporter of research…
Cure Parkinson’s funds new nerve growth factors for Parkinson’s
Nerve growth or neurotrophic factors such as CDNF and GDNF are proteins that support neurons and encourage their growth and survival during development. There has been considerable preclinical research…