Role of glucosylceramides for Parkinson's Disease associated polyneuropathy and pain (A03)

• Subject Area: Pharmacology
• Term: since 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 204083920

Based on results of the previous funding period we now aim to identify mechanisms and therapeutic implications of glucosylceramide-driven sensory polyneuropathy and the risk of dementia in Parkinson's Disease (PD). We shall proceed with transitional studies in PD-patients and in PinkSNCA PD mice. Mechanistic studies shall be done in patient-derived primary cells and mouse primary neurons and encompass hypothesis-driven studies such as GlcCer effects of calcium channels, as well as omic-based screening techniques. Complex behavioral analyses and histology in mice shall reveal if and how glucosylceramides-reducing treatments prevent of attenuate polyneuropathy and/or dementia.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1039: Signalling by Fatty Acid Derivatives and Sphingolipids in Health and Disease
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Irmgard Tegeder