MIND-MAPS-PD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Molecular Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease – Mitochondria, Associated Proteins & Synapses – Parkinson’s disease
IRAS ID
213442
Contact name
Marios Politis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The mechanisms underlying the loss of nerve cells in the brain of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and parkinsonism are still poorly understood. Accumulation of a protein called a-synuclein into large masses termed 'Lewy bodies' are associated with brain cell death in PD and parkinsonism. Mitochondria and synapses play a key role in regulating a-synuclein accumulation and nerve cell function in PD and parkinsonism. Thus, mitochondria and synapses are potential targets to study the mechanisms underlying the progressive loss of nerve cells in PD and parkinsonism. Recent advances on special brain scans called positron emission tomography (PET) allow direct evaluation of mitochondrial complex 1 (MC1) enzyme, sigma receptors type-1 (S1R), and synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) that are critical for mitochondrial and synaptic function. Research in animal models of PD and familiar form of PD has shown that MC1, S1R and SV2A are significantly implicated in the neuronal loss seen in PD. In this study, we aim to use MC1, S1R and SV2A specific PET scans and evaluate the function of mitochondria and synapses in people with PD and parkinsonism and compare the findings with a group of healthy volunteers. We will also investigate for associations between mitochondrial and synaptic dysfunction and severity of symptoms in people with PD and parkinsonism. Our findings will provide understanding related to the biological signatures of the disease that will help us track the progression of the disease, and most importantly help the discovery of new targets for the development of novel medications aiming to delay progression of symptoms.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0042
Date of REC Opinion
24 Feb 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion