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15 Years of Funding Parkinson’s Research

Tuesday, 22nd September 2026

Pictured: Shake It Up leadership with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, & Professor Glenda Halliday, Professor Carolyn Sue AM, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, Professor Sharon Naismith AM, Professor Lezanne Ooi. Photo Credit: The Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General

By Vicki Miller, CEO, Shake It Up Australia

For 15 years, the Shake It Up Australia Foundation has been dedicated to one, unwavering goal: to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s.

Through our partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), we have consistently worked to promote and fund Parkinson’s research in Australia aimed at accelerating better treatments and ultimately, a cure. The research landscape in 2011 was vastly different compared to today, and we are proud that the promising research we have funded since then is now delivering real, measurable impact for people living with Parkinson’s.

The State of the Parkinson’s Research Field

When our Founder Clyde Campbell first started Shake It Up, it was clear to him that there was so much more to understand about Parkinson’s. Looking around at the Australian research landscape, it was evident that we had the capability, high-quality institutes, great thinking and innovation – but the lack of funding was limiting progress.

In the last 15 years, our funding has enabled new scientific discoveries that have advanced the field significantly. We now have a greater understanding of what causes Parkinson’s, why it manifests differently in people, opportunities to identify it earlier, and pathways to better treatments that will not only manage symptoms but slow and stop progression of the disease.

Our partnership with MJFF, along with other global collaborations, has contributed to hugely significant breakthroughs. From 2024’s discovery of a Parkinson’s biomarker to the current pipeline of disease-modifying therapies, we are at a crucial tipping point in research.

Some of the key focus areas today include:

  • Of the more than 170 Parkinson’s therapies that are currently in or nearing human trials, more than half are disease-modifying, meaning they could slow or stop progression of symptoms. This is a crucial focus area for Shake It Up and the promising research projects we are funding here in Australia.
  • Researchers are closer than ever to developing therapies that can treat all the symptoms of Parkinson’s, from motor symptoms to the less well understood non-motor aspects impacting cognitive, sleep, digestion and speech.

What’s on the horizon?

  • The role of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence will play an instrumental role in the future of healthcare and research. Parkinson’s researchers are already using AI to drive innovations that will uncover new biological patterns, reveal how the disease progresses, and identify promising targets for treatment. Enabling huge global datasets will move the field closer to precision medicine that will fundamentally change how we understand Parkinson’s. Shake It Up will continue to support this vital area of research for the Australian Parkinson’s community.
  • Researchers understand more every day about how genetics and environment both play a role in developing Parkinson’s. Here in Australia, our funded researchers are working hard to understand the role of exposure to long-lasting environmental chemicals, as well as the genetic factors that influence risk.
  • Scientists across the globe are working on tests to detect Parkinson’s disease, as the need for these becomes more urgent. MJFF highlights how important these tests will become to speed treatment development, track disease progression and assess the impact of different therapeutic options.

Ultimately, the goal of all this research is to deliver tangible, everyday benefits to people living with Parkinson’s, now and into the future. Earlier detection, better treatments, personalised care, disease-modifying therapies – every single step of progress improves quality of life and brings us closer to a cure. We are proud to have been part of this journey over the last 15 years, and we are not slowing down in our efforts.

When I first joined Shake It Up 9 and a half years ago, it felt like there was light at the end of the tunnel. Now, it feels like glaring headlights approaching the start of the tunnel. There is an end to Parkinson’s in our sight.

Whether you have been with us since day one; or have just recently joined the Shake It Up community, your contribution plays an important role in getting us there. Together, let’s keep propelling research to a cure.

Find out how you can get involved today, to help us uncover the next research breakthrough.