Parkinson’s Disease Risk & Protective Factor Research Lab
Email: mschwarzschild@mgh.harvard.edu
Overview
The Parkinson’s Disease Risk & Protective Factor Research Lab in the Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease within the MGB Neuroscience Institute under the direction of Michael Schwarzschild, MD, PhD, investigates molecular mechanisms in mouse models of Parkinson’s disease in an effort to develop improved therapies for Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases.
The lab pursues major epidemiological and clinical clues to the disease through multi-disciplinary collaborations, focusing on ‘reduced risk’ factors including, adenosine receptor antagonism/caffeine, dietary antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, exercise, smoking, and urate. The lab employs complementary pharmacological and genetic (e.g., gene knockout) tools in mouse models of Parkinson’s disease to dissect the role of candidate mediators of reduced risk and progression.
Through our well-established translational research network, we expedite transfer of our molecular insights from the laboratory to clinical trials of candidate neuroprotectants in people at-risk for or living with Parkinson’s. With experience conducting clinical trials through phase III efficacy studies of candidate disease-modifying therapies, we seek to establish therapies that slow progression of the disease – before as well as after it’s diagnosed.