Genetic changes that raise risk for pesticide-linked Parkinson's
Official title: Investigating Novel Genetic Variants that Confer Susceptibility to Pesticide-induced Parkinson's Disease
Funded at J. David Gladstone Institutes · NIH-11261198 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether certain gene changes make agricultural workers more likely to develop Parkinson's disease after pesticide exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | January 17, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $706,158 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES036325-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11261198 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be agricultural workers or people with well-documented pesticide exposures or those willing to contribute genetic or biospecimen samples for Parkinson's risk research.
✕Less likely to help
People without pesticide exposure history or those seeking an immediate treatment for Parkinson's are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers identified candidate gene changes by analyzing genetic data and detailed pesticide exposure information from an agricultural workers cohort. In the lab they will grow human stem cells into dopamine-producing brain cells and alter candidate genes to see if those cells become more or less vulnerable to pesticide damage. Key genes will also be tested in a mouse model exposed to paraquat to see if the same gene changes affect Parkinson-like outcomes. By comparing results across human cells and animals, the team aims to link the genetic findings to real biological effects on neurons.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal genetic markers that help predict who is most at risk from pesticide exposure and inform prevention or closer monitoring.
How similar studies have gone: Epidemiological studies and some lab work support links between pesticides and Parkinson's, but confirming specific human gene variants with both human cell models and animal experiments is a newer, still-developing approach.
Where this research is happening
-
J. David Gladstone Institutes
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaye, Julia Ann — J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Study coordinator: Kaye, Julia Ann
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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.