Parkinson Society Canada awards Quebec scientists $573,384 for research

Nov 23 2010

Quebec Parkinson researchers receive a record $573,384 in funding from Parkinson Society Canada to increase their efforts to identify the causes of this degenerative brain disease for which there is currently no cure. At a Research Innovation event in Montreal this evening, hosted by Parkinson Society Quebec in partnership with McGill University and the CHUM, 11 Parkinson scientists will be lauded for their efforts in getting closer to a cure.

The awards are given at Gelber Conference Centre - at 5151, Côte-Sainte-Catherine tonight at 4:30 to 7:00 PM, to :

Dr. Alexander Thiel at McGill University and the Jewish General Hospital
Pilot Project Grant for $45,000,
Maladaptive neuroplasticity in Parkinson's disease

Dr. Jacques Drouin, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal
Pilot Project Grant for $45,000
Sub-lineages of midbrain dopaminergic neurons: molecular identity and neurodegenerative susceptibility

Dr. Guy Rouleau, St. Justine Hospital
Pilot Project $45,000
Identification of the genetic factors responsible for the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder at the University of Montreal

Dr. Jean-Francois Trempe, McGill University,
Basic Research Fellowship $100,000 over two years.      
In vivo interaction of parkin and endophilin-A and their roles in the regulation of synaptic endocytosis and protein degradation

Dr. Jeremy Van Raamsdonk, McGill University,
Basic Research Fellowship, $100,000 over two years       
The role of genes that extend lifespan in the pathogenesis and treatment of Parkinson's disease

Mr. Gian-Luca McLelland, McGill University,
Two Year Graduate Student Award, $40,000 with funding shared by Fonds de la recherché en santé du Quebec (FRSQ)  
The roles of parkin and PINK1 in mitochondrial-derived vesicle biogenesis and mitochondrial quality control

Also receiving awards were:

Mr. Nicolas Morin, Laval University,
Two year Graduate Student Award, $30,000
Investigating the neurological mechanisms implicated in the development of motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease

Ms. Giulia Cisbani, Laval University
Two year Graduate Student Award, $30,000
Cystamine: a potential neuroprotective molecule for Parkinson's disease

Dr. Laura Monetta, Laval University
Two Year New Investigator Award, $68,400
Evaluation of Pragmatic Deficits and the Neuroconnective Process in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease

Dr. Francesca Cicchetti, Laval University
Pilot Project Grant, $45,000
The impact of inflammation on the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

Dr. Joel Macoir, Laval University
Pilot Project Grant, $44,984
Efficacy of magnetic stimulation of the brain on problems with speech and language in Parkinson's disease

The awards are made possible through funds raised in Parkinson SuperWalk, the annual event held in 89 communities across the country. This year Quebec walks held in 11 communities had 2,000 participants and raised more than $227,000.

"Over 100,000 Canadians with Parkinson's are encouraged by the ever increasing efforts of Canadian Parkinson researchers to find the cause and a cure for this debilitating disease," said Joyce Gordon, President & CEO, Parkinson Society Canada. Over one third of our total grants awarded across Canada this year go to researchers in Quebec. We hold great hope for the work they do and the discoveries they will make.

This year, Parkinson Society Canada will contribute $1.3 million to over 30 research and pilot grants, new investigator awards, basic research and clinical fellowships as well as graduate awards to encourage innovative ideas and foster emerging Canadian scientists who choose careers to further understand Parkinson's disease.

Currently there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. Movement is normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain.  When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson's appear.