Per Svenningsson's research group - our research
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common disease in which 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.
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.