2019 PPRI Annual Briefing on Parkinson's Disease Research
More than fifteen years ago, Kitsilano resident Noel MacDonald commenced a local fundraising event by inviting his neighbours over for a bowl of porridge and conversation about Parkinson's Disease. His wife, Marg Meikle, had been living with the disease. Those monies raised, sometimes generously donated from piggy-banks, accumulated to the point where the charity Pacific Parkinson's Research Institute (PPRI) was able to fund a new position for scientific research into Parkinson's Disease within UBC's Centre for Brain Health. The position was filled by Dr. Silke Cresswell.
Recently on November 25, 2019, the amphitheatre at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at UBC had few empty seats for PPRI's 2019 Scientific Update. Dr. Cresswell started her 20-minute review by thanking the members of our charity, saying that she was only there "because of this group".
Having just completed her first large study with 300 participants, Dr. Cresswell presented the results of her Microbiome Study for the first time and identified intriguing connections between the gut, inflammation, Parkinson's Disease, and mood, just to name a few. In addition, she mentioned the launching of the BC Brain Wellness Program that puts some focus on active interventions such as exercise, art, nutrition, mindfulness, time in nature and community-building to foster brain resilience.
Many of us have been affected by Parkinson's Disease. Perhaps we've lost a loved one or helped a friend living with the day-to-day challenges. With the goal of developing a cure for Parkinson's, our group of volunteers has quietly raised significant monies to support some of the best scientific research in the world by way of the Pacific Parkinson's Research Institute.
Through the morning, we tried to wrap our heads around unfamiliar terms such as microbiome, somatotopic, and Clade-A as Dr. Martin McKeown, Dr A Jon Stoessl, Dr. Silke Cresswell, Dr. Vesna Sossi, and Dr. Jose Wijnands presented, several conclusions were reached:
These scientists are very smart people and amongst the best in the world.
The PPRC at UBC impacts hundreds, if not thousands, of people from across British Columbia suffering from Parkinson's both as patients to their clinic as well as recipients of their ongoing solutions intended to make living with Parkinson's a little easier.
Exercise and community are huge contributors to our health.
PPRI exists in Vancouver because of the efforts of our members who give their time and expertise. Only needing the time of less than one full-time staff member, PPRI contributes 93% or more of the donated monies towards the Parkinson's research at UBC. In 1991, Honourable John Nichol started the PPRI. Over $23M has been raised since then due to the generosity of people from across our province. Remarkable.
We encourage you to spread the word to anyone in BC who has, or think they may have, Parkinson’s Disease so they can reach out to learn more.
Leading scientists want to think "outside the lab" and pursue new paths. As our charity supports very early-stage clinical work, the PPRC scientists are given the funding by PPRI that lets them start projects based on their new ideas and obtain valuable data needed to validate their assumptions.
We ask that you reach out to ask questions, learn more, become a volunteer with us or perhaps be a donor.
One day, a cure for Parkinson's Disease just may be available. In the meantime, we may be able to help make the lives of so many people become just a little bit easier. Now, go get some exercise, play music, visit your friends and live a community-based life. It's for your health!
BC Brain Wellness: www.bcbrainwellness.ca
Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre: Parkinsons.ubc.ca