MONTREAL, Dec. 17, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Parkinson Society Québec is pleased to announce that an amount of $256,000 has been awarded to four Quebec researchers through the Fonds québécois de recherche sur le Parkinson (FQRP) and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FQR – S). This financing is intended to support research into Parkinson's disease in Quebec. There is currently no remedy for the disease.
"Research is a cornerstone of the mission of Parkinson Society Québec (SPQ)," stated Richard Côté, chairman of the SPQ's board of directors. "The purpose of this agreement is to support efforts made so far toward excellence in research. The partnership between FQRP and FQR-S is an eloquent example of how government, private sector and community can work together to answer the needs of those affected by Parkinson's disease through cutting-edge research in Québec. We are very proud of this."
The financing, of which $100,000 is from FQRP and $156,000 from FQR-S, was awarded in the form of research grants to:
Dr Ronald Postuma
Researcher in neurosciences and professor, Faculty of Neurology and Neurosurgery
McGill University
1- REM sleep behaviour disorder on Prodromal Parkinson's Disease
2- Caffeine for Parkinson's Disease
2014-2018 ($126,557)
Hélène Doucet-Beaupré
Post-doctoral student, Institut universitaire en santé mentale
Laval University
The role of developmental transcription factors in adult midbrain dopaminergic neurons
2014-2015 ($30,000)
Marjan Seirafi
Doctoral student in biochemistry
McGill University
Structural studies of the activated form of the parkin protein
Dave Gagnon
Doctoral student, Institut universitaire en santé mentale
Laval University
Basal ganglia serotonin 1B receptors in parkinsonian primates with L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia
2014-2017 ($60,000)
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease affecting more than 25,000 people in Québec. It involves cell loss in a part of the brain known as black substance. These cells are responsible for producing dopamine, a chemical that acts as a messenger between brain cells and, among other things, that controls movement; hence the designation neurotransmitter. It is estimated that when Parkinson's is diagnosed, 80% of dopamine-producing cells have ceased to function. The significant reduction in dopamine that results gives rise to the disease's symptoms. Currently, there is no medication capable of slowing or halting its progress.
About Fonds québécois de recherche sur le Parkinson
Research is one of the cornerstones of Parkinson Society Québec's mission. Launched in 2012 by the Saucier-vanBerkom family and PSQ, FQRP offers financial support promoting excellence among researchers of Quebec and Canada by contributing substantially to the National Research Program of Parkinson Society Canada and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé.
Parkinson Society Québec strives day in day out to solicit major grants in order to increase the research funds. Since 2012, FQRP and its partners have committed $905,000 toward research.
For more information, visit www.parkinsonquebec.ca
About Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQ – S)
Under the Ministre de l'Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche et de la Science, the mission of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQ – S) is support of research and to maximize the well-being of Quebecers. Its goal is to promote and financially support research, disseminate the knowledge gained and train researchers, establish the partnerships required to enhance research and innovation in Québec and, finally, to make this research known throughout the world.
For more information, visit www.frqs.gouv.qc.ca
SOURCE Parkinson Society Quebec
Image with caption: "Richard Côté, PSQ Chairman of the Board, Dr Renaldo Baptista, FQR-S scientific director, Mrs Ghislaine Saucier, Mr. Sebastian van Berkom, Dr Rémi Quirion FQR scientific chief. (CNW Group/Parkinson Society Quebec)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141217_C5192_PHOTO_EN_9618.jpg
Marie Normandin, Project Leader, Communications, Parkinson Society Québec, mnormandin@parkinsonquebec.ca, (450) 674-9544Copyright CNW Group 2014