Imaging of Molecular Pathology and Neuronal Networks in LRRK2 PD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Longitudinal Study of Molecular Pathology and Neuronal Networks in Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 carriers and idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease Patients and Healthy Controls using PET, MR Imaging, and other markers of in vivo pathology
IRAS ID
249061
Contact name
Ray Chaudhuri
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 0 days
Research summary
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized clinically by bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying neuronal degeneration in PD and currently, no treatment is available to halt disease progression in PD.
The pathophysiological characterization of phenomena occurring in the time window between the pathological start of the disease and the onset of motor symptoms is crucial to develop potential neuroprotective agents.
Several genes have been discovered providing important insights on the pathogenesis of PD. Mutations of Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are associated with 2-5% of all PD cases in North American Caucasians. LRRK2 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PARK8 gene, which is associated with an increased risk of PD.
Clinical and digital biomarkers, blood and CSF biomarkers and molecular PET imaging, with specific radioligands, provide invaluable insights to help understand and characterise disease pathophysiology.
We aim to characterize molecular phenomena underlying LRRK2 PD as compared to idiopathic PD and HCs with the hope of providing further insights into possible mechanisms taking place in PD and to help identify targets for disease-modifying therapeutics.REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1915
Date of REC Opinion
5 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion