#MJFFchat Now evaluating individuals who may be at risk for #Parkinsons due to genetic factors in #ClinicalTrials for biomaker

— michaeljfox.org (@MichaelJFoxOrg) May 9, 2012

Yesterday The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research hosted the second call in our ongoing Seminar Call Series on Hot Topics in PD Research, updating the Parkinson’s community on various approaches underway to develop Parkinson’s disease-modifying therapies and discussing how biomarkers affect our ability to test these therapies.

Hosted by Michael J. Fox Foundation CEO Todd Sherer, PhD, and joined by President and Senior Scientist at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Ken Marek, MD, the discussion highlighted our current understanding of neurodegeneration, discussed approaches and clinical research underway in the U.S. and abroad, and addressed the challenges of testing potential therapies. Continue reading “Seminar Call Series Recap: Parkinson’s Disease-modifying Therapies and Biomarkers” »

Today the Foundation begins transitioning to a refreshed logo design for MJFF and Team Fox – the first logo refresh in our history. You’ll notice an updated font, simplified color scheme and a few tweaks to our beloved fox, who takes a more prominent position in both logos. But beyond these superficial changes, what do our new logos say about who we are in 2012? Continue reading “The Michael J. Fox Foundation Debuts New Foundation and Team Fox Logos” »

In April, more than 30 world leaders in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research gathered in New York City for The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s (MJFF) annual Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) meeting.  A top theme throughout the two-day meeting: the genetics of Parkinson’s disease.

Genetic research holds critical potential to help all people living with PD, whether or not they carry mutations in genes linked to the disease. By studying the biological processes underlying inherited forms of Parkinson’s, scientists can better understand all forms of the disease (familial and the more common sporadic), opening new avenues to therapeutic development.

“New understandings of the genetics of Parkinson’s disease are informing PD drug development today,” said MJFF CEO Todd Sherer, PhD. “Our Foundation is building on these discoveries to define this research and ensure its translational focus, in order to speed its practical impact for people living with PD.”

SAB members discussed the growing role of the Foundation in driving forward research into four specific genetic targets relevant to PD: LRRK2, alpha-synuclein, tau, and GBA. MJFF is devoting the lion’s share of its gene-based investments to two of these targets: LRRK2, the most common genetic contributor discovered to date, and alpha-synuclein, whose clumping is seen in every case of PD.

A clear message from the SAB was the impact MJFF could make in bringing together patients and their doctors in the quest to understand PD genetics.

“It’s important that the Foundation, and other stakeholders, try to bring their resources to bear on getting geneticists interested in PD research onto the same page and into the same room as neurologists who see patients,” said SAB member Mark Cookson, PhD, of the National Institute on Aging. “It is critical that these groups talk early and often about the next steps in genetic analysis and, in the longer term, in moving from genetic discoveries to practical treatments for Parkinson’s disease.”

Read on for the latest in how the Foundation is working to bring findings from genetics closer to pharmacy shelves. Continue reading “New Understandings of the Genetics of Parkinson’s Disease Inform Drug Development Today” »

In 2011, The Michael J. Fox Foundation announced the $50-million Brin Wojcicki Challenge, an opportunity to double your impact in the search for a cure for Parkinson’s. Today, you can experience online the potential of this Challenge — for the future of Parkinson’s research and for Parkinson’s patients.

In the online version of The Brin Wojcicki Challenge: Making Parkinson’s Disease History, you can explore our blueprint for what the Challenge will enable us to achieve. Access multimedia extras, such as videos, podcasts and blog profiles, hear about innovative approaches in PD treatments, read inspiring stories of those who’ve stepped up for the Challenge, learn how you can take action, and more. Continue reading “A Vision for the Future of Parkinson’s Research” »

Check out E-magazine What Doctors Know, which features Michael J. Fox on the cover of their April/May issue and pick up your copy from the nook newsstand—download the issue directly on your nook or nook app on your iPhone, Android, iPad, PC or MAC to read more.  The article shares the latest facts and figures on Parkinson’s disease and discusses ways for the community to get involved whether by participating in clinical trial research, doubling impact through the Brin Wojcicki Challenge, community fundraising with Team Fox or engaging with the Parkinson’s community on michaeljfox.org and Foundation social media pages.  As Michael says, “when the cure for Parkinson’s is found — and it will be —it won’t be because of me, or our Foundation, or anyone individual. It will be because of all of us, working together. The answer is in all of us.” Continue reading “What Doctors Know Explores How Each of Us Can Play a Role in the Search for a Cure of Parkinson’s Disease” »

To speed new treatments to patients, The Michael J. Fox Foundation frequently partners with industry — such as our recently-announced collaboration with Sanofi. Michael J. Fox was recently asked for his perspective on the Foundation’s work with industry. Check out this Q&A to learn what inspires him and how we all can help bring a cure closer. Continue reading “Q&A with Michael J. Fox on Creating a Win-Win for Companies and for Patients” »

 This guest post comes from Mark Siegel, President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.

“Calling out around the World,
Are you ready for a brand new beat.
Summer’s here and the time is right
For dancing in the streets”

On Sunday April 29, the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association will take to the streets in the annual Beach Brigade in Santa Monica. The event has grown every year and is expected to be even more successful this year. All net proceeds from the walk will be used for research for Parkinson’s disease. Continue reading “Beach Brigade Walks to Cure Parkinson’s” »

Today, The Wall Street Journal’s Informed Patient column profiled the emerging platforms to address a gap in clinical trials and volunteers. Key among those platforms is the Foundation’s innovative new tool, Fox Trial Finder, a web-based solution matching interested volunteers with clinical trials.

Titled “Services Match Patients with Clinical Trials,” the article profiles the Fox Trial Finder user success story of Claudia Garrido-Revilla and highlights revealing new survey results from the foundation.   Continue reading “Official Launch of Fox Trial Finder Featured in The Wall Street Journal Today” »

The Pink Sheet, an industry trade publication, wrote about our partnership with Sanofi, titled “Sanofi Taps Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Drug Development.” In speaking with The Pink Sheet, Mark Fraiser, vice president of research programs, explains how this collaboration with Sanofi came about, why it’s needed, and how it can serve as model for future MJFF-industry projects.  As Mark says, “This is a good opportunity for us to shine a light on the unmet need of Parkinson’s patients with cognitive deficits.” Read the full article here.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is happy to announce our second Seminar Call Series in Hot Topics event on Wednesday May 9.

This call brings together the Parkinson’s community to discuss research to develop disease-modifying therapies. Led by Michael J. Fox Foundation CEO Todd Sherer, PhD, and Dr. Kenneth Marek, MD, the conversation will address the Foundation’s strategies in this area, progress to date, and why finding a biomarker is critical for Parkinson’s research.

To participate in the discussion, RSVP to hottopics@michaeljfox.org to confirm your attendance and follow along on Twitter with hashtag #MJFFChat.