State-of-the-art trial a step towards earlier diagnosis and more effective interventions for Parkinson’s disease

A unique trial being spearheaded by the Clinical Research and Imaging Centre (CRIC) at SAHMRI, is leading the way to improve the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

The trial involves injecting hundreds of participants with fluorinated dopamine (F-Dopa), a radiotracer that works by highlighting levels of dopamine in the brain when combined with MRI imaging technology.

Parkinson’s is known to be linked to a lack of dopamine in the body and as such, the trial’s primary aim is to build a unique biobank showing how dopamine presents differently in people with and without Parkinson’s, helping clinicians improve future diagnosis and treatment.

The F-Dopa is being manufactured by a team of researchers using the cyclotron, a nuclear particle accelerator housed in SAHMRI’s underground bunker. A prime example of the power of collaboration at SAHMRI.

Researchers are looking for more people with and without Parkinson’s to take part in trial, which has been made possible by a $300,000 donation from the Hospital Research Foundation Group.

If you’d like to take part in the trial, please contact deeksha.sharma@sahmri.com to register your interest.

Read more in the ABC News article here.