ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine (FMM) hosts its next Hope Flies Health Series Webinar: Research Connecting Parkinson’s Disease and Mitochondrial Disease on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 1:00 pm EDT. The Foundation developed the webinar with partners including the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), Wilkins Parkinson’s Foundation and Sharecare to particularly bring greater awareness to mitochondrial disease and its connection to Parkinson’s disease. The webinar is free; however registration is requested in advance at www.mitochondrialdiseases.org/hfhswebinars.
During the webinar, participants can learn more about the scientific connection and interest Parkinson’s researchers have in mitochondria and mitochondrial function. Experts on the call will share the latest developments from a specific research project the FMM and MJFF co-funded exploring this link to activate and stabilize the Parkin protein, which may allow it to break down damaged mitochondria and thereby prevent cell death in some Parkinson’s patients. Stabilizing Parkin will be a positive strike for Parkinson’s disease and for mitochondrial disease.
Panelists for the webinar include Wolfdieter Springer, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Laura Stanley, Executive Director, FMM; Bill Wilkins, Founder of the Wilkins Parkinson’s Foundation, and the moderator will be Darria Gillespie, MD MBA, FACEP, SVP Clinical Strategy of Sharecare. Dr. Springer will provide an update on his primary research focus: the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and other related neurodegenerative disorders.
Additional topics include an overview of Parkinson’s and the challenges and progress today surrounding research of Parkinson’s and mitochondrial function; an overview of mitochondrial disease today and progress being made; and how patients and caregivers can manage both diseases.
About the Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine
The Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the development of the most promising research and treatments of the many forms of mitochondrial disease. Visit www.mitochondrialdiseases.org for more information.
