Parkinson’s disease: the family connection that drives one man’s work

While Dundee may historically be known as the home of ‘Jute, Jam and Journalism’, today the city is recognised as a leading centre for research into Parkinson’s disease.

A disabling neurodegenerative illness, Parkinson’s was identified more than 200 years ago. Despite this, no means of curing – or even slowing – the condition have been identified.

The most successful drug to manage Parkinson’s, Levodopa, was developed 60 years ago. With diagnosis rates rising, the need to find new treatments and therapies has never been more apparent.

At the University’s School of Life Sciences, some of the world’s leading experts have committed themselves to solving the Parkinson’s puzzle. One of the key contributors to this work is Dr Andy Howden, Principal Investigator. Having lost his father to Parkinson’s, he understands as well as anyone the urgent need to develop new treatments and therapies.

“Parkinson’s affected my own father for more than 20 years,” he said.

“Having witnessed its effects on a loved one, as well as the patients that we work with here at the University, I am aware of just how important the work we are doing here is. It really cannot be overstated.

“We have some of the best minds and most advanced technology, all working together with a single goal of improving the quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s. That goal drives us every day. While we know that there can be no quick results, we are learning all of the time and already we are seeing the impact of our research.”

Dundee’s position as a leader in Parkinson’s research has already brought about significant breakthroughs. A recently launched drug trial in the city is utilising what are known as LRRK2 inhibitors. Mutations in the LRRK2 protein kinase are the most frequent cause of inherited Parkinson's disease and there is hope throughout the scientific community that a successfully developed inhibitor could slow progression of the disease in those living with the condition.

Earlier this year, experts at the University’s School of Medicine made a significant breakthrough, discovering that patients with Parkinson’s can create a back channel within their brain that they may use to prevent them from becoming apathetic – one of the first and most prevalent symptoms of the illness. There are hopes that further research could exploit this discovery to develop new treatments.

Dundee’s Parkinson’s research has been bolstered significantly by a dedicated fundraising campaign. Launched in 2019, the Dundee Parkinson’s Research Campaign builds on the University’s state-of-the-art facilities, and established links with charitable foundations and pharmaceutical companies.

Last year saw the installation of a liquid chromatography system, purchased with help of donations to the campaign and allowing experts to analyse the impact of Parkinson’s disease on an individual’s cells and tissues.

“We are making progress, but we know there is still a long way to go,” Andy added.

“We are all aware of the significance of what we are trying to achieve, and having the support of the public means a tremendous amount to us. The campaign has helped to elevate the quality of our research and serves as an important reminder of just how many people are looking to us to help them, a loved one, or someone they know, in their own battle with Parkinson’s.”

You can transform lives by supporting the Dundee Parkinson’s Research campaign.