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Shake It Up Australia Foundation and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research are providing Flinders University over $458,000 to fund a groundbreaking study investigating how environmental chemicals can impact the brain, causing Parkinson’s disease.
As part of the research, Professor Cedric Bardy and his team at Flinders University are reprogramming human cells into the specific brain cell types affected by Parkinson’s disease:
- Dopamine-producing neurons: The cells that progressively degenerate in Parkinson’s disease.
- Astrocytes: Support cells crucial for brain function, which are also impacted by Parkinson’s disease.
These cells will be exposed to a range of common environmental chemicals, including agricultural pesticides and industrial compounds, simulating both acute and chronic exposures at varying concentrations.
The researchers will analyse the impact of these chemicals on the electrical activity, overall function, and potential degeneration of the cells. This analysis will help identify harmful chemicals and how they interact with the brain.
“While links between environmental chemicals, such as agricultural pesticides and industrial compounds, and Parkinson’s disease have been observed before, the way in which these chemicals affect brain cells remain largely unknown,” said Professor Bardy.
“Our goal is to understand the direct impact of environmental chemicals on brain cells, inform safer chemical usage standards, and guide the development of new ways to protect against Parkinson’s disease,” he said.
“We see this research as a crucial step towards both preventing and treating Parkinson’s. By understanding the environmental triggers, we can take real action to reduce their effects and mitigate risk for future generations,” said Vicki Miller, CEO of Shake It Up.
This research, conducted in collaboration with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), will advance understanding of the potential impact of environmental chemicals and inform researchers to develop improved treatments and preventative strategies.
