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Development of an in-vitro model for Parkinson's disease

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Project Description

Parkinson’s disease affects 6.1 million people globally. The number of cases has more than doubled in the last 15 years and this cannot fully be attributed to an increase in life expectancy. The social and economic costs are in excess of £3 billion annually in the UK alone, with an estimated cost of £16 thousand per family affected per annum.

The causes of Parkinson’s have been attributed to both genetic and environmental effects, ultimately leading to the death of dopamine-producing cells in the base of the brain (the substantia nigra). Although environmental and behavioural risks are involved, this has not been examined effectively.

Testing hypotheses about the causes, and testing potential treatments currently requires the use of animal models and/or patient cooperation which both have implicit sensitivities, ethical consideration and restrictions and challenges. There is currently no treatment or cure for Parkinson’s. We need to understand more about this disease in order to develop effective treatments or provide effective risk prevention advice to the population.

This need could be well served if we had a high fidelity in-vitro model of the disease.

Status Project Complete
Value £1,000.00
Project Dates Jan 1, 2020 - Dec 31, 2021

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