Author: Tara Lynch
Mentor:Dr. Jane Tezapsidis
Institution: BMCC
Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the onset of multiple motor symptoms, including: rigidity, tremors, and frozen facial expression. Loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons from the substantia nigra of the brain and misfolded alpha synuclein (a-syn) protein clumps, called Lewy bodies, are also hallmarks of PD. PD is diagnosed by the onset of multiple motor symptoms, at which point significant damage to DA neurons has already taken place. Our research focuses on analyzing data from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative to identify conclusive biomarkers in PD patients.
PD-Poster-Tara-Lynch-1-Tara-Lynch
Katherine Conway
As someone whose mother had Parkinson’s I am quite interested in the possibility of early detection. I was under the impression that at this time, while symptoms can be identified, conclusive evidence is only available post mortem. Please continue with this important work!