Neuropharmacology - movement disorders – Per Svenningsson's research group

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common disease where the basic pathophysiology is unclear. The next breakthrough in the treatment of PD should delay disease progression, based on insights into the underlying pathogenic process. The development of disease-modifying drugs is hampered by the lack of adequate diagnostics and biomarkers that reflect early signs of the disease.

Part of the:
Per Svenningsson research group

Our research

Translational Neuropharmacology

The classic motor signs of PD are often preceded by non-motor symptoms such as depression, hyposmia, REM sleep disturbance and / or constipation. It is important to develop an improved knowledge of these clinical signs of early PD as neuroprotective and reparative therapy for PD should preferably be offered at an early stage to effectively change the course of the disease. In the laboratory, cell and animal models are developed to mimic the progressive disease progression in PD. Biochemical, histological, pharmacological, molecular biology and behavioral techniques are used in these studies.

In clinical trials with patients, clinical estimates, biochemical and imaging (PET and MRI) analyzes are performed. We have started a Biopark cohort. A special emphasis is placed on non-motor symptoms in PD and the identification of biomarkers. The information is transferred to a newly developed PD quality register. The research group also studies unipolar depression in both animal models and patient samples. In addition to PD, other movement disorders are also studied, especially Huntington's disease and ataxias.

Research project

  • Receptor dynamics in neurons. Focus on adapter proteins and lipid aggregates
  • Studies of progressive Parkinsonism
  • Studies of depression in Parkinson's disease and unipolar depression
  • Identification of clinical biomarkers in different forms of Parkinsonism
  • Pre-clinical mechanistic studies of substances with potential for testing in clinical trials in Parkinson's disease.
     

For more information about our research, please visit our external website.

News, In online media, Collaborations/fundings

In online media
Photo: Joseph Mucira. Pixabay

In online media

External website.
Presentations and articles from our research group (both in Swedish and English)

Collaborations/funding
Illustration of two hands holding each other forming a heart. Background is plum colored and icon is white. Photo: Adobe Sparks

Collaborations/funding

External website.
Our research has been supported by grants from several different institutions and funding agencies. 

Publications

Selected publications

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Team leders

Team leader within Per Svenningsson's research group. A team leader acts as an additional leadership support to the research group leader and conducts their own research.

 

Team Xiaoqun Zhang - Basal pharmacology - behavior, neurochemistry and electrophysiology

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Xiaoqun Zhang

Team leader (Basal pharmacology studying behavior, neurochemistry and electrophysiology)

Team Ioanna Markaki - The role of glucose regulation in Parkinson’s disease

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Ioanna Markaki

Team leader (The role of glucose regulation in Parkinson’s disease)

Team Martin Paucar Arce - Movement disorders

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Martin Paucar Arce

Team leader (Movement disorders)