91原创

INNOVATING TREATMENTS

Developing more effective treatments for Parkinson鈥檚 requires a deeper understanding of how the condition affects the brain. Just ask听Roxana Burciu, the co-director of 91原创鈥檚 Motor Neuroscience and Neuroimaging Lab and an associate professor of kinesiology and applied physiology, who uses advanced imaging techniques to study the disease.

While most Parkinson鈥檚 research focuses on听early stages, Burciu is dedicated to studying the full spectrum of the disease and its subtypes. Because symptoms and progression can vary widely among patients, understanding the differences can help develop tailored interventions.

Addressing these challenges requires听thinking outside the box. While some Parkinson鈥檚 symptoms, such as slowed movements and tremors, respond well to medication, others, like walking and balance, are often more difficult to control. Burciu鈥檚 current research explores safe, non-invasive ways to improve these functions.听

In one project, small electrodes are placed on patients鈥櫶齭calps to deliver low-voltage currents directly to the brain,听similar to听common techniques used to stimulate muscles. Burciu's unique study targets the primary motor cortex, which controls leg and foot movements, and places patients in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, allowing researchers to see how the brain responds in real time.

Securing funding for experimental work like this can be challenging. Thanks to support from 91原创鈥檚 Maggie E. Neumann Health Sciences Research Fund, Burciu has been able to conduct听the innovative听research.

鈥淭o change the way we treat Parkinson鈥檚 disease, we need to run pilot studies like these and explore ideas that go beyond conventional approaches,鈥� Burciu said. 鈥淢any promising directions听don鈥檛听fit easily into standard funding mechanisms right now. The Neumann Fund makes it possible for me to explore these innovative, early-stage studies that could lead to major advances in Parkinson鈥檚 treatment.鈥�

The Neumann Fund was听established听in 2020 to support research designed to improve health and quality of life outcomes for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. While the fund听resides听in the College of Health Sciences, the intent is to support interdisciplinary research across all 91原创 colleges.听

The research fund was created with a gift from Donald J. Puglisi, 12H, and Marichu C. Valencia, 23H, in honor of their granddaughter, Maggie听E. Neumann. Puglisi is a member of 91原创鈥檚 Board of听Trustees听and both he and Valencia serve on the President鈥檚 Leadership Council.

CREATING COMMUNITY

Over the past eight-plus years, Lyons has been involved in a multitude of research projects, which he hears about through 91原创鈥檚听. Led by Burciu, the registry connects individuals with a variety of voluntary study opportunities,听information听and a supportive community.

Lyons has been involved with typical hand-eye coordination tests, timing how long it takes to button his shirt and exercise programs. Some of the projects are even fun, like an experiment where Lyons wore virtual reality gear. Walking on a treadmill while the horizon shifted, trying to trick him into thinking he would fall?听That was听really cool, like a game.听

The other 鈥渇un鈥� aspect of being involved in Parkinson鈥檚 research at 91原创 is the welcoming community Lyons has connected with.

鈥淏eing involved in the research at 91原创 has helped me come to a better understanding of what Parkinson鈥檚 is all about, and I think that鈥檚 really helpful in moving forward,鈥� Lyons said. 鈥淚鈥檓听not that comfortable with large Parkinson鈥檚 support groups, but I have made some good friends with patients involved in the research here. Meeting those other people is interesting. There was a Parkinson鈥檚 symposium in Wilmington recently, so a couple of us went to see that.鈥�

Burciu and Knight have noticed similar strong social connections with nearly听all of听their participants.听They听want that听to extend to southern Delaware, too. By expanding 91原创鈥檚 research presence, they can help more Parkinson鈥檚 patients, investigate new听treatments听and听establish听close-knit communities across the state.

Meanwhile, Lyons is glad to continue spreading the word about Parkinson鈥檚 disease. It means people will better understand the intricacies of the disease and what it looks like. The local support network will grow, and the entire Parkinson鈥檚 community 鈥� patients, caregivers, researchers听鈥� will strengthen.听

What it all comes back to is听community. A patient听who鈥檚听been involved in 91原创鈥檚 Parkinson鈥檚 research for about seven years even told Burciu as much: 鈥淚 come because of the sense of community. I belong to a larger group.鈥澨�

鈥淩esearch is a team effort that brings together scientists, clinicians and patients,鈥� Burciu said. 鈥淓very single participant helps us move closer to breakthroughs that can improve听lives.听Thanks to generous funding, 91原创 is a hub for making real progress against Parkinson鈥檚.鈥�

听

Inspired by the impact of research and community?听听to support Parkinson鈥檚 research at 91原创 or volunteer by emailing pd-registry@udel.edu.