Title of project or programme

ERA-Net Neuron: PARKCDNF: Development of an experimental therapeutic strategy using the newly identified growth factor CDNF for treatment of Parkinson’s disease, Subprojects 1 and 4

Principal Investigators of project/programme grant
TitleFornameSurnameInstitutionCountry
Prof.KerstinKriglsteinMRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologyUK
 Prof. EberhardFuchs
 Prof. MartSaarmaUniversity of Helsinki
 Prof. RaimoTuominenUniversity of Helsinki
 Prof. OlleLindvallLund University Hospital
Address of institution of lead PI
InstitutionAlbert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
Street AddressAlbertstr. 17
CityFreiburg
Postcode79104
Country
  • Germany
Source of funding information

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Total sum awarded (Euro)

569008

Start date of award

01-02-2009

Total duration of award in months

36

The project/programme is most relevant to
  • Parkinson’s disease
Keywords
Research abstract in English
Lay summary

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease of unknown cause. 12-20 new cases per 100.000 inhabitants per year are reported in developed countries such as Europe. Furthermore, no causal therapy for restoring nigrostriatal neuron loss or slowing down the disease progression is available. Potential and promising therapies may therefore lay in the neurotrophic support of old and environmentally challenged dopaminergic neurons. Mart Saarma and Raimo Tuominen have discovered a new conserved dopamine neurotrophic factor, CDNF, and were able to show that CDNF protects and repairs nigrostriatal neurons in rodent models of PD. CDNF is unique and distinct from other already known neurotrophic factors and is therefore an excellent candidate for a therapeutic lead in PD. The consortium represents a joint effort to promote CDNF as a novel restorative treatment for Parkinson’s disease. At the end of the PARKCDNF project funding, the consortium envisions to be ready to enter the clinic (phase I trials).

    Types: Investments > €500k
    Member States: Germany
    Diseases: Parkinson's disease & PD-related disorders
    Years: 2011
    Database Categories: N/A
    Database Tags: N/A

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