Astrocytes – a
route to better
treatments for
Parkinson’s?
Laura
Project information
Lead researcher
Dr Laura Ferraiuolo
Location
University of Sheffield
Cost
£50,000 over 20 months
Start date
January 2016
Type of project
Small grant
Project code
K-1506
Project background
The majority of research in Parkinson’s is focused on dopamine-producing cells – the
particular cells that are lost in the brains of those who have the condition. These cells play
a vital role in coordinating movement, and as they gradually stop working and die, the
symptoms of the condition worsen.

Dopamine-producing cells may be the star of Parkinson’s research, but is
there more to the story? The majority of cells in the brain are actually ‘helper’ cells
called astrocytes whose main role is providing nutrients and a support for other
brain cells. Research in other similar conditions has shown that if astrocytes don’t
do their job properly, other brain cells die more quickly. Recent research in animal
and cell models suggests this might also happen in Parkinson’s.

Understanding the role of astrocytes could lead to new treatments. Their
abundant number and crucial role in supporting other brain cells make astrocytes a
very appealing therapeutic target. If we can find ways to make them work better it
could have huge benefits for damaged brain cells.

Laura thinks that energy production may be the key. All the cells in our bodies
need to produce energy to do their jobs and stay healthy. We already know that the
energy-producing batteries of cells – known as mitochondria – don’t work properly
in brain cells that are affected in Parkinson’s. If mitochondria fail in astrocytes too
this may be a discovery with exciting potential for developing future treatments.
What the project will do
The aim of this study is to understand how astrocytes may interact with the brain cells
affected in Parkinson’s – and look for opportunities to use these helper cells in developing
better treatments.
First, the team will grow astrocytes from skin cells donated by people who have rareinherited form of Parkinson’s caused by a genetic mutation. They will then look to see how
well the mitochondria are working in the astrocytes.
Next they will study dopamine-producing cells and astrocytes when they sit side by side,
as they do in the brain to see how they interact in different situations.
Finally, Dr Heather Mortiboys (Senior Parkinson's UK Fellow and co-applicant on this new
project) has already found drugs which boost the function of mitochondria. So Laura will
test these drugs on our astrocytes (alone and with dopamine-producing cells) to see if they
have a beneficial effect.
How the research will help people with Parkinson’s
This is the first study to investigate astrocytes - the most common type of cell in the brain as a potential target for new therapies in Parkinson’s. Laura hopes the results will inform
future strategies for therapy - should we focus all our efforts on dopamine-producing cells
or could targeting astrocytes provide added benefits to people with Parkinson’s?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Find out more about our research, visit our website: parkinsons.org.uk/research
Or contact the Parkinson’s UK research team at: [email protected]
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