Prof. Dr. Günter Höglinger, Prof. Dr. Franziska Hopfner, and Dr. Alexander Bernhardt from the Department of Neurology at LMU University Hospital Munich are playing key roles in this initiative. The partners in the research consortium include Prof. Dr. Matthias Mann from the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried and Prof. Laura Parkkinen from the University of Oxford.
The project aims to understand why Parkinson’s disease follows such a variable course from patient to patient, despite the presence of similar clinical features. This variability is further compounded by the fact that approximately one in three Parkinson’s patients also suffers from additional brain disorders—such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia—which may accelerate disease progression and complicate both diagnosis and treatment.
Specifically, the project will focus on identifying the molecular factors that determine how alpha-synuclein—a protein that aggregates in the brains of Parkinson’s patients—spreads and causes damage. The team will analyze samples of brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and skin to uncover the mechanisms driving this protein aggregation.
"Every Parkinson’s patient is different—in their symptoms, their disease progression, and their response to treatment. We want to understand why," says Prof. Matthias Mann. "By measuring the entire spectrum of proteins in patient samples, we can identify the specific molecular patterns underlying each individual’s disease. This forms the basis for earlier diagnosis, better monitoring, and treatments that target the root cause rather than just the symptoms."
"This funding underscores the international significance of the participating research centers and aims, in the long term, to contribute to personalized medicine for Parkinson’s disease," emphasizes Prof. Günter Höglinger.
The ultimate goal of the project is to develop better biomarkers for early detection and disease monitoring, as well as to identify potential new targets that could lead to the development of new medications.
