Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

“Do the Eyes have it? ‘Flying’ to cure Parkinson’s disease?”

Christopher J. H. Elliott, University of York

The discovery of L-DOPA as a treatment revolutionized the care and lifestyle of those with Parkinson’s, but it does not slow the progression of the disease; indeed, L-DOPA induced dyskinesia can occur after ~5 years of treatment. New animal models of Parkinson’s have been developed since the discovery (in 1997) that a small proportion of Parkinson’s is caused genetically. Flies have provided the best model to accelerate the search for the cause of Parkinson’s and for disease-modifying therapies. We are developing new ways to rapidly quantify the deficits in genetic models of Parkinson’s, and to test the effects of new compounds on dopaminergic signaling in the nervous system. We will report on two classes of drugs in the pipeline to novel, disease modifying therapies, and how work with flies has led to ideas about a new way for early diagnosis.

Doors open 7pm. Tickets are free and can be pre-booked by phone or on-line with City Screen (0871 902 5726)

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