Two New Research Projects Approved for Funding by PPRI Board of Directors

Two new Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre (PPRC) research projects have been recently approved for funding by the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Institute (PPRI) Board of Directors:

Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

Principal Investigator: Dr. Martin McKeown

The objective of this study is to determine if externally applied low frequency ultrasound will diminish or eliminate some of the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) much like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) does.

The ultrasound approach would eliminate the need for invasive brain surgery. The ultrasound approach has been studied in other neurological diseases, but is just being considered as a replacement for DBS in PD. The low frequency transducers are able to penetrate deep into the brain and are highly focused. PET and fMRI scanning will be used to find appropriate areas to focus the sound beams.

Studies are on going in other labs but the PPRC group has the advantage of extensive experience with PET and fMRI imaging and the ability to focus on the appropriate brain area using functional and anatomical imaging.

IMPACT 360 for Parkinson's disease (PD)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell

The objective of the study is to measure the effect of combining exercise, diet and mindfulness on slowing the development of the symptoms of PD.

Studies have shown that diet, exercise and mindfulness each as a stand-alone treatment have positive effects. This study will look for synergy when all three areas are studied at the same time in the same subject. The study will build on the infrastructure created in the Brain Wellness program and the new Healthy Agers project.

All members of PPRC will be involved in different aspects of the study as well as scientists from other UBC departments and the University of Calgary.