Parkinson's Disease

Coordinators: Henk Berendse and Peter Heutink                


Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a common, chronically progressive neurological disorder, manifesting itself in highly incapacitating (sensori)motor, cognitive and autonomic disturbances. Although degeneration of the mesostriatal dopaminergic system is generally considered the pathological hallmark of PD, degenerative changes and functional disturbances in other brain areas, in particular the olfactory system, autonomic and gain-setting brainstem nuclei, cerebral cortex and their projections also contribute to PD symptomatology. Research efforts in this theme are primarily aimed at unravelling the underlying pathogenetic and pathophysiologic mechanisms of PD, the development of early, possibly presymptomatic, diagnostic markers and the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches for PD. The focus of attention is on impairments linked to early stage, extranigral pathology and non-motor functions, in particular cognitive, emotional and olfactory disturbances.

At the Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam there is a strong history in research on Parkinson's Disease and in particular on longitudinal clinical endo-phenotyping, imaging and biomarker research, neuropathology, genetics and functional follow up using cellular and animal models. One of the aims in the Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam programme Neurodegeneration is to strengthen the PD-related research by building long lasting cross-links between the different disciplines required to study the biological mechanism underlying this disease. In particular, in the field of dementias with parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease major breakthroughs are to be expected in the field of neurogenomics and neurology in general (including brain imaging). 

 
Information for patients in the Netherlands: