Study Reveals How Parkin Gene Mutations Cause Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s researchers at the University at Buffalo in New York have discovered how mutations in the parkin gene cause the disease, for which there is no cure. The results of the study — which was funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research; the National Institutes of Health (NIH); SUNY REACH, a research network of SUNY academic medical centers; and NYSTEM, New York State’s stem cell initiative — are published in the current issue of Nature Communications.

The findings reveal potential new drug targets for the disease, as well as a screening platform for unearthing new treatments that might mimic the protective functions of parkin. The University of Buffalo has applied for patent protection on the screening platform. For more information, click here to read the full release.