Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s | ASAP

?? The ASAP Collaborative Research Network (CRN) is accepting LOIs for the Scientific Track through March 20, 2025. This funding supports high-priority projects investigating the mechanisms of #ParkinsonsDisease heterogeneity—with up to $3 million per year for three years. Your LOI should include: ? Core Leadership Structure ? ECI Requirement ? Interdisciplinary Collaboration ? Doctoral Degrees ? Independent Faculty Funded teams will join a global, multidisciplinary network dedicated to advancing PD research through open science and collaboration. ?? Check eligibility & submit your LOI: https://lnkd.in/ehTRFiXN ? LOIs due March 20, 2025 (6 PM ET) #ParkinsonsResearch #Neuroscience #OpenScience

CRN Team Wood found that oligomeric alpha-synuclein triggered an inflammatory glial state associated with TLR activation, viral responses, and cytokine secretion in hiPSC-derived astrocytes. This reactive state resulted in loss of neurosupportive functions, and the induction of neuronal toxicity. Notably, interferon response pathways were activated leading to upregulation, and isoform switching of the RNA deaminase enzyme, ADAR1. Aberrant or dysregulated ADAR1 responses and RNA editing may lead to sustained inflammatory reactive states in astrocytes triggered by alpha-synuclein aggregation, and this may drive the neuroinflammatory cascade in #Parkinsons. ?? Check out their full #preprint: https://bit.ly/41Lb3lt

?? #BrainAwarenessWeek is here—a time to celebrate the power of neuroscience and innovation! At ASAP, we’re driving progress in #ParkinsonsResearch through two major funding opportunities: ?? Scientific Track: Now accepting LOIs through 3/20! This funding supports research into the mechanisms driving PD heterogeneity. ?? Technical Track: Now accepting LOIs through 5/5! This track funds the development of novel, sustainable tools to accelerate validation and therapeutic R&D for emerging targets identified through ASAP discoveries. Be part of a global network pushing the boundaries of discovery. ?? Learn more & submit your LOI: https://bit.ly/3FC0ARS #CRNFundingOpportunity #Grants #ParkinsonsDisease

Missense mutations in SNCA, the gene encoding for the protein alpha-synuclein (aSyn), are a rare cause of autosomal dominant forms of PD. CRN Team Harper examined a patient carrying a missense mutation in the SNCA gene. They observed atypical neuropathological features reminiscent of those observed for the G51D aSyn variant. ?? Check out the full #preprint: https://bit.ly/3FnQEeT

In this collaborative #publication, CRN Teams Liddle & Sulzer tested the composition of the gut microbiome in an alpha-synuclein overexpression model of #PD at different ages. They found that alpha-synuclein overexpression drives alterations to the gut microbiome composition, suggesting alpha-synuclein overproduction may prevent a diverse microbiome, which may contribute to a dysbiotic microbiome in PD ?? ?? Check out the full publication: https://lnkd.in/e4dTXAsK

To better understand the role of pathological α-syn in disease, many labs use α-syn preformed fibrils (PFFs). Neurons take up the PFFs, which act as seeds to corrupt endogenously expressed α-syn, inducing it to form aggregates very similar to those found in diseased brains. Because PFFs can corrupt endogenous α-syn, researchers should adhere to strict safety protocols when handling PFFs to minimize potential exposures. In this publication, Team Biederer identifies potential risks related to working with α-syn PFFs and outlines best practices for the safe conduct of research with α-syn fibrils, including personal protective equipment and decontamination procedures. ?? ?? Read the full publication: https://bit.ly/43tdlbn

In 2024, the GP2 Training & Networking Working Group (TN WG) supported 280 trainees through workshops, academic funding, and global research opportunities. Some key milestones: ? 126 trainees trained in 7 bioinformatics workshops across multiple countries ? 66 trainees involved in research projects, leading to 3 published papers ? 17 trainees sponsored to attend international conferences ? 4 sabbaticals supported at NIH, Cleveland Clinic, & Universit?t zu Lübeck (University of Lübeck) ? 4 PhD candidates funded from Ghana, Nigeria, Malaysia, & Ukraine ? 1 candidate enrolled in the MPS Data Science program at UMBC We’re committed to empowering PD researchers worldwide. Read more about our impact here: https://bit.ly/43qC93L

Our call for LOIs for the Collaborative Research Network (CRN) 2025 Technical Track is officially open ?? This funding opportunity aims to propel progress in #ParkinsonsDisease research by supporting the development of novel, sustainable tools to accelerate validation and therapeutic R&D for emerging targets identified through ASAP discoveries. Become part of the CRN, a global community driving groundbreaking discoveries. Learn more: https://bit.ly/41JwfJK #CRNFundingOpportunity #Grants #ParkinsonsResearch

Striatal acetylcholine (ACh) signaling has been proposed to counteract reinforcement signals to promote extinction and behavioral flexibility. Changes in multi-phasic striatal ACh signals have been widely reported during learning, but how and where signals are distributed to enable region-specific plasticity for the learning and degradation of cue-reward associations is poorly understood. In this #preprint, CRN Team Cragg finds a topographic organization of opposing changes in ACh release to cues, rewards, and consummatory actions across distinct striatum regions. These large-scale measurements indicate how and where ACh dynamics can shape region-specific plasticity to gate learning and promote the extinction of Pavlovian associations ?? ?? Read the full preprint: https://bit.ly/4krOjiS

?? Have you explored our new GP2 training resource: the Micro e-Learning Program? Discover 10-minute videos covering #ParkinsonsDisease concepts such as clinical features, genetics, data analysis, & GP2 resources on our learning platform. Access now – you'll earn certificates for each course you complete. ?? Learn more: https://bit.ly/43eFaUV