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"This year we received novel projects from a record number of centers and investigators worldwide," said Michael S. Okun, MD, National Medical Director of NPF. "The NPF funding continues to catalyze important discoveries and advances that make a difference for patients and families suffering today with this disease. As a result, dollars donated to NPF have an immediate and measurable impact."
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Centers Grants
NPF dedicated approximately $1 million (24 percent) to research, more than $640,000 (19 percent) to comprehensive care, and more than $1.5 million (57 percent) to outreach for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
Research funded is largely clinical and included studies of genetics, potential treatment, cognition and depression, and fall prevention. Programs funded in comprehensive care were diverse and included grants focusing on advanced-stage Parkinson's disease and continuity of care. Of the 36 outreach grants, 28 sought to reach underserved and culturally diverse populations.
This program was supported, in part, by generous grants from the Parkinson's Unity Walk and The Parkinson Alliance.
Small Research Grants
NPF awarded seven grants totaling $350,000 for studies piloting novel research ideas.
Researchers who received grants include:
-- Stephen Traynelis, PhD, Emory University;
-- Eugene Mosharov, PhD, Columbia University;
-- Esti Yeger-Lotem, PhD, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, MIT;
-- Yvonne Schmitz, PhD, Columbia University;
-- Christophe Lo Bianco, PhD, Wallenburg Neuroscience Center at Lund University;
-- Andrea Giuffrida, PhD, University of Texas Health Science Center; and
-- Claudio Hetz, PhD, University of Chile.
About The National Parkinson Foundation
Founded in 1957 and headquartered in Miami, the National Parkinson Foundation is the oldest Parkinson's organization, with the most extensive grassroots network of centers, chapters and support groups in the U.S., Canada, and internationally. Since 1984, NPF has invested over $130 million in disease-related programs and is committed to increasing the quality of care for Parkinson's patients through research, education, care support and outreach services. For more information about NPF and allocation of grants please visit www.parkinson.org or call 800-327-4545.
CONTACT: Jamie Schwartzberg of National Parkinson Foundation,
+1-305-243-8165, [email protected]
SOURCE National Parkinson Foundation
