TORONTO, ON, November 22, 2011 . . . Parkinson Society Canada has awarded research grants to 10 outstanding Canadians for their work to help improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease. The researchers are being recognized at a Parkinson Society Central & Northern Ontario event in Toronto, where SuperStar Walkers (individuals who raise $1,000 and more at the annual, nation-wide Parkinson SuperWalk) will have a chance to see their dollars in action.

Awards will be presented to:

• Dr. Susan Fox, a neurologist at Toronto Western Hospital Movement Disorders Centre and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto receives a $38,443 Pilot Project Grant for her research into the use of famotidine, a drug approved for acid reflux, to reduce uncontrollable movements in Parkinson’s known as dyskinesia.

• Dr. Lili-Naz Hazrati, a neuropathologist at the University of Toronto's Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases receives a $45,000 Pilot Project Grant to investigate the molecular changes in cells in the basal ganglia, the part of the brain affected by Parkinson’s.

• Dr. Connie Marras, a neurologist at the Toronto Western Hospital Movement Disorders Centre, receives a $45,000 Pilot Project Grant as part of an international study to investigate the environmental factors that may tip the balance for susceptible people.

• Dr. Anurag Tandon, Assistant Professor at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto receives a $45,000 Pilot Project Grant to investigate PGC1-alpha, a gene that increases the production of mitochondria. Tandon thinks this gene could eventually be used to correct the deficiencies produced by other mutated genes, which lead to Parkinson's disease.

• Dr. Mario Masellis, a neurologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and clinician scientist at the University of Toronto receives a two year $90,000 New Investigator Award for his research using a special scan called a SPECT to investigate the way people with Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia, a related disease, change after receiving medications.

• Dr. Barbara Connolly, a neurologist at Toronto Western Hospital receives The Nora Fischer Clinical Movement Disorders Fellowship ($50,000), for her work on the diagnosis, management and treatment of Parkinson's disease.

• Ms. Yuko Koshimori, PhD candidate at the University of Toronto and the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health receives The Lawrason Foundation Graduate Student Award ($30,000 over two years) to study and compare the brains of people with Parkinson's to those who do not have the disease, using PET scans and MRI-like imaging technology.

• Ms. Shababa Masoud, PhD candidate in Pharmacology at the University of Toronto receives a two year $30,000 Graduate Student Award to study the effects of exogenous Parkinson’s disease inducing toxicants on neuronal injury in genetically modified mice with increased intracellular dopamine.

• Mr. Guang Shi, PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, receives a two year $30,000 Graduate Student Award to focus on the role of mitochondria in Parkinson's disease.

• Ms. Sherri Thiele, PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, receives a two year $30,000 Graduate Student Award to investigate whether Parkinson's affects the strength of the connections among brain cells.

“We are delighted to award these bright and emerging scientists with funding to help further Parkinson’s research and treatment in Canada. We hope their work will make a difference for those living with the disease,” says Debbie Davis, CEO of Parkinson Society Central & Northern Ontario. “It’s also very inspiring to see the growing number of women choosing careers in neurological research, and Parkinson’s research in particular,” she added.

Parkinson SuperWalk is Parkinson Society Canada’s largest fundraising event, held nation-wide each September.

Currently there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. Movement is normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear.

Since 1965, Parkinson Society Canada and Parkinson Society Central & Northern Ontario, one of 10 regional partners, have been supporting Canadians living with Parkinson’s providing education, support, advocacy and funding for research. Since 1981, Parkinson Society Canada has invested $19.5 million in 385 research projects in basic and clinical research as well as projects that address quality of life issues. Through its National Research Program, Parkinson Society Canada encourages innovative ideas and fosters emerging Canadian scientists who choose careers to further understand Parkinson’s disease.

In the Toronto area there are eight chapters and support groups – more than 40 in Central & Northern Ontario Region and 240 chapters and support groups in Canada. To find out more about Parkinson’s disease and the National Research Program, call 1-800-565-3000 or visit www.parkinson.ca.

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Contact:

Marina Joseph
Parkinson Society Canada 416-227-3399; 1-800-565-3000 ext. 3399
marina.joseph@parkinson.ca

Debbie Davis
Parkinson Society Central & Northern Ontario
1-800-565-3000; ext. 3373
debbie.davis@parkinson.ca