This week, competing reports on cholesterol lowering drugs called statins, and the effects they have on the brains of those who take them, have popped up in the press.

In this corner: A study published in the March edition of Archives of Neurology suggests that people taking statins  — the most prescribed drugs in the world — may slightly lower their risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD).

In that corner: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially acknowledged that statins carry a risk of cognitive side effects.  This information will be added to the labels of brand names such as Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor.

How can statins both lower risk for a neurological disease like Parkinson’s and increase the chances of memory loss and cognitive decline?  Are these drugs good or bad for the brain?  Even our CEO, Todd Sherer, one of the smartest guys we know, had to admit that something didn’t compute.

Continue reading “The Puzzling Status of Statins: How Can Cholesterol Drugs Prevent Parkinson’s, But Cause Alzheimer’s-like Disease?” »

Here is a message from Team Fox member James Mangini. He is preparing to embark on a 1,000-mile run from South Carolina to New York City and is looking for volunteers to provide support along the way. Visit 1,000 Mile Marathon to learn more.
Continue reading “Team Fox Member James Mangini Invites You to Participate in His 1,000-Mile Marathon” »

Austria-based biotech AFFiRiS AG has enrolled the first patients in an early stage clinical trial of a first-of-its-kind vaccine approach to treating Parkinson’s disease, called PD01.

Just this past summer, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) awarded $1.5 million to AFFiRiS  for their  vaccine targeting alpha-synuclein, a protein implicated in Parkinson’s whose clumping is the pathological hallmark of the disease.  The Phase I study is testing the safety and efficacy of PD01. The hope is that PD01 will stimulate the production of antibodies that bind to alpha-synuclein, clearing it from the brain and slowing the progression of the disease.  Continue reading “Parkinson’s Disease Vaccine Study Enrolls First Patients” »

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) today announced new funding opportunities for researchers as part of its mission to accelerate the development of new and improved treatments for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Interested members of the research community can apply to programs in several of the Foundation’s priority areas, including: defining PD and its progression, reducing the unmet symptoms of PD and the side effects of existing treatments, and altering the progression of the disease.  In addition, MJFF is announcing the availability of critical research tools and models to the research and drug development community at large.  As of today, researchers can apply to one of eight different programs.   Continue reading “The Michael J. Fox Foundation Announces New Funding Opportunities for Researchers” »

MJFF CEO Todd Sherer participated in a Q&A with Fast Company on his management style and how the transition from researcher and scientist to the business-side of the Foundation was. Read more here.

Rachel Spielman (left) and Jennifer Geller

Team Fox members Rachel Spielman and Jennifer Geller joined forces to throw their first event, “Spin for Parkinson’s,” on Sunday, February 12. The afternoon included a 45-minute spin class at NYC’s popular cycling studio, Flywheel, and ended with refreshments, snacks and a giveaway. There was a $150 entry fee to secure a bike and 100% of all proceeds supported their Team Fox efforts. Donations are still coming in, but so far they have raised over $20,000—all of which will be doubled thanks to The Brin Wojcicki Challenge.

We caught up with Rachel and Jennifer to see what they learned throughout the planning process. Spin enthusiasts—and enthusiasts of all kinds—take note. Rachel and Jennifer offer tips on turning an everyday passion or activity into a successful fundraiser.

Continue reading “Spinning for Parkinson’s: Catching up with Team Fox members Rachel Spielman and Jennifer Geller” »

The Alzheimer Research Forum, an online scientific community dedicated to understanding Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), has reported on the LRRK2 Cohort Consortium, an initiative funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) to assemble and study groups of people with and without PD who carry mutations in the LRRK2 gene.  LRRK2 is the greatest genetic contributor to PD discovered to date, and is a priority target for the Foundation. Continue reading “Alzheimer Research Forum Highlights Parkinson’s LRRK2 Cohort Consortium” »

One of The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s priorities is to develop a therapy to address the challenges in how levodopa, the gold standard therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD), is delivered into the body.  Many patients who take the drug experience “off” periods, when the effects of the medication wear off before they are ready to take their next dose, leaving them in a state where symptoms like lack of mobility may return.  Finding a more consistent method of delivering levodopa could help to minimize these periods, and is therefore one of the critical unmet needs for those living with PD. Continue reading “Foundation Awardees Explore Improved Methods of Delivering Levodopa to Treat Parkinson’s” »

Dyskinesia refers to the excessive and uncontrollable movements that are a side effect of long-term dopamine replacement therapy in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is a harrowing problem for people with PD, who report that it is one of the most difficult aspects of Parkinson’s to manage.

Because they fear developing dyskinesia, many patients wait as long as possible to begin using the drug levodopa, the gold-standard treatment for relieving the stiffness, tremors, and rigidity that are the cardinal features of PD. Even after starting the medicine, many limit the dosage to reduce the dyskinesias, and therefore settle for a sub-optimal benefit from the best medical therapy available for their disease. There is currently no therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat this side effect. Continue reading “Dave Iverson & Dr. Todd Sherer: New Approaches to Treating Dyskinesia” »

Join us on March 8th for our 5th annual poker tournament and casino night, Playing to Win, hosted by Michael J. Fox and David Einhorn in New York City.  World Poker Tour Champion, Phil Gordon, will be on-hand to offer his tricks of the trade to guests.  Not a poker player?  Not a problem!  Casino-only tickets include access to Blackjack, Craps and Roulette.   This exciting evening promises to be a memorable one with fabulous prizes for our top winners.  All proceeds benefit The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  For details on how to purchase tickets, view the invite below. Continue reading “Playing to Win: The Fifth Annual Poker Tournament and Casino Night to Benefit The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research” »