A multidisciplinary research team led by the Indiana University School of Medicine has been awarded a $9 million grant to investigate the role of immune cell aging in Parkinson’s disease.
INDIANAPOLIS — A research team led by the Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine has been awarded a $9 million grant to investigate the role of immune cell aging in the risk and progression of Parkinson’s disease. The project will focus on immune-cell exhaustion in both idiopathic and familial forms of the condition.
The funding comes from Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP), in partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Research Scope and Objectives
The study aims to examine how immune-cell exhaustion—a process that occurs naturally with age—relates to the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers will also explore how lifestyle and environmental factors may contribute to the disease.
The project’s stated goal is to identify individuals at greater risk for Parkinson’s and to develop targeted treatments for dysregulated processes.
Team and Collaboration
Malú Gámez Tansey, PhD, professor of neurology at IU School of Medicine, serves as the lead primary investigator. The multidisciplinary team includes experts from:
- IU School of Medicine
- Columbia University
- Thomas Jefferson University
- Tulane University
Key researchers include:
- Malú Gámez Tansey, PhD (Lead PI), IU School of Medicine
- Rebecca Wallings, DPhil, assistant professor of neurology, IU School of Medicine
- Elizabeth Bradshaw, PhD, Columbia University
- Richard Smeyne, PhD, Thomas Jefferson University
- Catherine Weindel, PhD, Tulane University
- Travis S. Johnson, PhD, data manager, IU School of Medicine
The team will join the Collaborative Research Network, an international multidisciplinary initiative that seeks to map the biological blueprint of Parkinson’s disease and address high-priority research questions.
Statements from Researchers
"The ultimate goal is to identify individuals at greater risk for Parkinson's disease and then target the dysregulated processes."
— Malú Gámez Tansey
Richard Smeyne noted that "Parkinson's disease is complex enough that no single institution can answer these questions alone" and that the collaboration "brings together complementary expertise."
Rebecca Wallings said, "Parkinson's disease is very different from one person to another, and we still do not fully understand why. By studying immune-cell exhaustion and biological immune aging, we hope to uncover new clues."
Catherine Weindel commented that what excites her most about the project is "its power of collaboration."
Background
According to the researchers, Parkinson’s disease affects more than 1.1 million people in the United States and costs $82 billion annually in healthcare, disability, productivity, and caregiving. Age is recognized as the greatest risk factor for the disease.