Research Themes

The Circuitry and Brain-Body Interactions theme within the ASAP Collaborative Research Network (CRN) focuses on understanding how Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects isolated neurons and entire neural circuits and connections between the brain and the body.Researchers in this area study how disruptions in motor and non-motor pathways contribute to PD symptoms, and how peripheral systems – like the gut, immune system, and autonomic nervous system – interact with the brain to influence disease onset and progression. This theme aims to uncover how early changes across interconnected systems could serve as warning signs, contribute to disease spread, or offer new targets for intervention.

Chronic neuroinflammation has long been implicated in PD; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms mediating this process remain unknown. This theme focuses on uncovering the molecular and cellular contributions of the neuro-immune system in Parkinson’s.

Since the first identification of a causal genetic mutation in Parkinson’s disease (PD), genetic discoveries have expanded our understanding of PD heredity and broadened insights into spontaneous disease. This theme focuses on unraveling the biology underlying these genetic mutations.