Investigating the
waste disposal
system in
Parkinson’s
Frances
Mylene
Project information
Lead researcher
Professor Frances Platt
Location
University of Oxford
Cost
£100,674 over 36 months
Start date
January 2016
Type of project
PhD Studentship
Project code
H-1501
Project background
Around ten years ago, it was noticed that people in families with a history of a genetic
condition called ‘Gaucher’s disease’ were also more likely to develop Parkinson’s.
Gaucher’s disease is an inherited condition which causes problems with lysosomes – the
waste disposal and recycling centres of the cells in our body.
The link between Gaucher’s and Parkinson’s led researchers to investigate how problems
with lysosomes are involved in Parkinson’s. Lysosomes contain proteins that break down
large molecules into smaller ones. When cells are unable to get rid of their waste material,
it builds up. In time, this causes brain cells to go wrong and eventually die.

The lysosome breaks down fatty molecules called lipids. Lipids play an
important role in keeping the brain working properly. But when lipids are not broken
down properly they start to accumulate and cause cells to die.

Researchers have discovered that there are changes in the lipids in brain
cells affected by Parkinson’s. They have also found changes in the proteins that
help break down these lipids in Parkinson’s – this could cause waste to start
building up.
What the researchers are doing
There are multiple different types of lipids. Professor Platt’s team is especially interested in
the role of glycosphingolipids in Parkinson’s. These are a type of fatty molecules with
sugars attached to them.
Frances will be supervising a student called Mylene Huebecker on this project. Mylene will
study brain tissue donated by people who had Parkinson’s, to measure the amount of
different types of lipids in the brain. This will help them identify which types of lipids are
involved in Parkinson’s and at what stage in the condition changes in lipids happen.
Mylene will also use a mouse model of Parkinson’s, which mimics the changes that
happen in the condition, to investigate what happens to the lipids as Parkinson’s
progresses.
How the research will help people with Parkinson’s
This project is investigating a new idea about the causes of Parkinson’s, which could open
up a whole new avenue of research. Should there be changes in the amount of different
types of lipids in the brain, researchers may be able to use this change to help with
diagnosis in Parkinson’s.
We’re backing the best and
brightest minds to unlock the
ideas that will lead to new
treatments, and one day a cure
Find out more about our research, visit our website:
parkinsons.org.uk/research
Or contact the Parkinson’s UK research team at:
[email protected]
Parkinson’s UK is the operating name of the Parkinson’s Disease Society of the United Kingdom. A company limited by
guarantee. Registered in England and Wales (948776). Registered office: 215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V
1EJ. A charity registered in England and Wales (258197) and in Scotland (SC037554). © Parkinson’s UK, Jan 2012