Parkinson's Disease Research Laboratory
Directors
Weidong Le, M.D., Ph.D. and Joseph Jankovic, M.D.
Investigators
Tianhong Pan, M.D., Ph.D.; Wenjie Xie, M.D.;
PDRL team members
The Parkinson’s Disease Research Laboratory at the Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, led by Dr. Weidong Le and Dr. Joseph Jankovic, has been very productive with over 200 publications and 15 research grants award (including two RO-1) in five years of period of time. We currently have six investigators and conducting numerous basic science research projects. The past and ongoing investigations have positioned the PDRL at the forefront of basic science research center in the mechanisms of cell death and etiology and treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD), related neurodegenerative disorders, and other movement disorders.
Background
Established in 1998 the PDRL, an integral part of the world-renown Parkinson Disease Center and Movement Disorder Clinic, BCM Neurology, has evolved into an internationally recognized research facility focusing on PD and other movement disorders. The primary mission of the PDRL is: to initiate and conduct hypothesis-driven basic research which upholds the highest scientific standards, and to train postdoctorals, physicians and other scientists to become skilled in conducting basic neuroscience 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 advancing basic science research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, genetic and other animal and cell tissue models, neuroprotection, and other treatments of PD and related neurodegenerative disorders. The PDRL team has collectively published over 200 articles in peer review journals in the past 5 years. The following is a brief outline of our current and planned basic science research endeavors. The primary aim of the PDRL is to build on our discoveries made over the past 5 years 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 five years, the dedicated scientists at the PDRL have been awarded 14 national and international research grants including three NIH funded RO-1, MJF foundation, Parkinson Disease Foundation, American Parkinson Disease Research Association, National Parkinson Disease Foundation, with a total of over $3 million support. Currently we have a $500,000 annual budget to support six investigators for 7 projects.
Parkinson’s Disease Research Laboratory
Department of Neurology
Baylor College of Medicine
Neurosensory Center
6501 Fannin, Suite NB302
Houston, Texas 77030
Tel: 713-798-5142
Fax: 713-798-3771Click here for Maps & Directions | Interactive Map (#22)