Parkinson's Disease Research Laboratory

The Parkinson's Disease Research Laboratory at the Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, led by Dr. Weidong Le (basic sciences research affair) and Dr. Joseph Jankovic (clinic research affair) has been very productive in the past with over 400 publications and 25 research grants award (including four RO-1) in 10 years of period of time. We currently have ten investigators and undertake six projects.

Our goal is to transform this research laboratory into a world-wide recognized forefront of clinical and basic science research center in the etiology and treatment of Parkinson's disease, related neurodegenerative disorders, and other movement disorders.

Dr. Weidong Le,
Director

Dr. Joseph Jankovic,
Director

Background

Established in 1998 the PDRL in collaboration with Parkinson disease Center and Movement Disorder Clinic, Department of Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine has evolved into an internationally recognized basic science and clinical research focusing on Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders.

Primary Mission of the PDRL

To initiate and conduct hypothesis-driven clinical and basic research which upholds the highest scientific standards, and
To train postdoctorals, physicians and other health care professionals to become skilled in conducting basic neuroscience and clinical research and to inspire them to pursue basic or clinical research in the areas of PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.

The PDRL has been in the forefront of clinical and basic science research in the etiology and treatment of PD, related neurodegenerative disorders, and other movement disorders. The PDRL team have published over 400 articles in peer review journals in the past 10 years. In addition to extensive clinical research (currently conducting over 100 IRB-approved projects, the most of any group at Baylor) the goal of the PDRL is to expand basic science research. The primary aim of the PDRL is to build on our discoveries made over the past five years (see references) with a focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms of nigral dopamine neuron degeneration in PD and to translate these findings into clinical applications, including development of biological markers for the diagnosis of PD and exploring potential therapies designed to favorably modify the progression of the disease as well as improve the quality of life of patients with PD.

Research Budget and Funding

In the past 10 years, we have been awarded 25 national and international research grants including NIH funded RO-1, Michael J. Fox Foundation, Parkinson Disease Foundation, American Parkinson Disease Research Association, National Parkinson Disease Foundation, and Diana Helis Henry Medical Research Foundation with a total of over $7 million support. Currently we have $750,000 a year annual budget to support six investigators for four projects.

Parkinson’s Disease Research Laboratory
Department of Neurology
Baylor College of Medicine
Neurosensory Center
6501 Fannin, Suite NB302
Houston, Texas 77030

Tel: 713-798-5985
Fax: 713-798-8307

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