The PD Udall Center research team is a highly interactive and productive group of
investigators. Our group has published extensively in all areas of the proposed research
using the proposed methodologies, including the clinical characterization and PET
imaging of cholinergic and related neurochemical systems in patients with PD
and assessments of motor and cognitive function in rodent models of PD and related
movement disorders.
The pioneering work on patients with Parkinson’s disease by University of Michigan
brain imaging (Dr. Nico Bohnen)
suggests that the spread of cell loss to the cholinergic system creates a previously
unrecognized effect. That is, loss of cholinergic cells robs patients of the ability
to pay close attention to their movements, even as they’re already having trouble
walking safely. The involvement of the cholinergic system likely explains why current
treatments – focused on dopamine replacement – are ineffective.
The Center conducts research to determine if it may be possible to increase
cholinergic traffic in the brains of patients using an already-approved drug that
targets acetylcholine receptors on the surface of brain cells. That drug,
varenicline or Chantix, is already available by prescription to help people stop
smoking. Dr. William Dauer and Dr. Roger Albin serve as the Center’s Director and Associate Director,
respectively, and co-lead a project to develop “personalized medicine” approaches to
Parkinson’s disease using specialized brain scanning and varenicline.
Dr. Martin Sarter studies the cholinergic system and its role in controlling attention. In
his work, he has shown in rats that the cholinergic system plays a key role in balance
and walking, and that reduced cholinergic activity is associated with worse balance
and more falls. A team of biostatisticians and data analysts led by Dr. Ivo Dinov and
Dr. Cathie Spino enables the study design, high-throughput processing and data analytics
using the multivariate data generated by the Center’s experiments and clinical studies.
The Parkinson’s disease education and outreach efforts are led by Dr. Kelvin Chou.
