Exploring how environmental factors and genes contribute to Parkinson's disease risk.
Official title: Investigating environmental and gene-environment contributors to Parkinson's disease risk by coupling quantitative environmental exposure data to iPSC modeling
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10987053 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things in our environment, like pesticides, and our genes might work together to increase the chances of getting Parkinson's disease, using special brain cells from patients to see how these toxins affect movement-related cells and their helpers in the brain, which could help us find better ways to support people at risk for Parkinson's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $209,607 |
| NIH project number | 5K08ES034822-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10987053 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a family history of Parkinson's disease or those who have been exposed to pesticides and are concerned about their risk.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any genetic predisposition or environmental exposure related to Parkinson's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between environmental exposures, particularly pesticides, and genetic factors that may increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). By utilizing patient-derived stem cells, the study aims to understand how these environmental toxins affect specific brain cells known as midbrain dopaminergic neurons, which are crucial for movement and are damaged in PD. The research will also examine how other brain cells, like astrocytes and microglia, interact with these toxins and influence neuron health. This comprehensive approach could lead to better understanding and potential interventions for those at risk of PD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies and treatments for Parkinson's disease by identifying key environmental and genetic risk factors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between environmental toxins and neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krolewski, Richard Carl — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Krolewski, Richard Carl
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.