Parkinson Research Consortium

Our Research

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's, affecting at least 100,000 Canadians, with the number of cases expected to double by the year 2050.

While the ultimate cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, symptoms are mainly thought to result from the death of brain cells that produce a chemical called dopamine.

The Parkinson Research Consortium (PRC) was formed in Ottawa in 2004 to bring together scientists with the common goals of understanding how and why these brain cells die, and applying this knowledge to the treatment of those with the condition.

There are currently no proven treatments available to slow the relentless progression of the disease. Only through a better understanding of the basic mechanisms that cause it can effective disease-altering treatments be developed.

Recent Milestones in PD Research

  • Publication of Canada's first Parkinson's care guideline and its revision in 2019.
  • Development of an Integrated Parkinson's Care Network driven by patients.
  • Development of a prediction tool model for Parkinson's disease.
  • Development of a simplified smell test.
  • Development of mouse models that mimic different forms of Parkinson's disease
  • Participation and leadership in new drug treatment trials for PD
  • Continuous support of our next generation of young researchers

"Our ageing western societies will be faced with many more patients with Parkinson's over the coming decades. In many ways Parkinson's is both complicated and complex. I strongly believe that together we can solve the riddle. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform neurological care by taking research to new heights in Ottawa and by building the technologically most advanced hospital for the citizens of Ottawa, for Ontarians and for the country."

Michael Schlossmacher, MD, Co-Director, Parkinson Research Consortium (PRC)

Fellowship Awards:

Fostering innovative and exciting new ideas in Parkinson's disease (PD) research and supporting the next generation of Parkinson's researchers.

Every year the PRC, with the very generous support from individuals within our community, come together to support our scientists and clinicians in funding novel research projects and create fellowship awards and opportunities to support our young trainees fostering the next generation of researchers.

We would like to sincerely thank the following individuals, families and organizations for their very generous and continuous support:

  • The Tallman Family
  • Shelby Hayter
  • Larry Haffner
  • Mara and Michael Arno
  • Bonnie and Don Poole
  • The Hogg Family
  • The Michael Bell and family Foundation Fellowship
  • Maplewishes Foundation: Avery and Rowan Parkinson
  • Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
  • ScotiaMcleod Charitable Foundation

Parkinson Research Consortium | 2024 Fellowship Awardees

Shelby Hayter Fellowship (year 1 of 2)
Awarded to: Emma Green
Title: "Testing the Contribution of Gut-Expressed Alpha-Synuclein to the Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease"
Mentor: Dr. Max Rousseaux

Larry Haffner Fellowship (year 1 of 2)
Awarded to: Nazia Hassan
Title: "Investigating a Redox-Protective Role of Parkin Downstream of Dopamine Stress in an In-Vitro Cell Model"
Mentor: Dr. Michael Schlossmacher

Bonnie & Don Poole Parkinson’s Research Fellowship
Awarded to: John Beninger
Title: "Optimizing Direct Cortical Electrical Stimulation for Treatment of Parkinson's"
Mentor: Dr. Richard Naud

Dave and Jill Hogg Family Fellowship
Awarded to: Zoe Ortiz
Title: "The Effects of Lrrk2 and Reovirus on the Development of PD in Males and Females."
Mentor: Dr. Natalina Salmaso

Francis Mathew Memorial Fellowship
Awarded to: Cassandra Hidalgo
Title: "Tracking Early Non-Motor and Later Motor Pathology using a Dual-Hit Genetic (LRRK2-G2019S) and Alpha-Synuclein (Fibril) Parkinson's Disease Model"
Mentor: Dr. Shawn Hayley and co-supervisor Dr. Paul Albert

The Michael Bell and family Foundation Fellowship
Awarded to: Jessica McNeill
Title: "Single Cell Transcriptomic Profiling of Substnatia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area of Human PD Patients and Controls"
Mentor: Dr. Natalina Salmaso

PRC ROUNDS | Research in Motion

The PRC scientific community hosts a monthly seminar called - PRC ROUNDS | Research in Motion. This is an opportunity for the members and their students to update each other on the progress related to new findings in Parkinson's disease research.

Bi-Monthly session take place on the last Friday of the month from 2:30-3:30PM; more information can be found at: Seminars & Events.