Molecular and functional imaging in monogenic PD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Molecular and functional imaging of Parkinson’s pathology in SNCA, Parkin and PINK1 mutation carriers
IRAS ID
281131
Contact name
Marios Politis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Parkinson's disease is characterised by a loss of the dopaminergic cells in specific regions of the brain. Aside from this, other brain cells that produce serotonin are also affected. We do not know how these cells producing serotonin
degenerate and behave in Parkinson's disease. We know from previous studies in the familial forms of PD (caused by a genetic mutation), that the cells producing serotonin may be among the first ones to degenerate. In this study we aim to understand how much these cells are degenerated, in groups of people carrying different mutations for genes that are known to cause PD. We will use Positron emission tomgoraphy (PET), Single Photon Emission Computerised Tomography (SPECT) to understand what happens in these patients at molecular level in the serotonergic and dopaminergic system. We also aim to understand, through a detailed clinical observation and the use of markers in the blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid, what is the relationship between the alteration of the serotonergic system in these genetic forms and the clinical symptoms, or the severity of the disease.REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0140
Date of REC Opinion
8 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion