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  ## Breadcrumb

- [Home](/)
- [Resources & Support](/resources-support)
- [Parkinson's Today Blog](/resources-support/blog)
 
  

 

   Advancing Research 

#  Neuro Talk: 3 Promising Developments in Parkinson’s Research 

 Jun 27, 2023 

 

  Every year, the Parkinson’s Foundation funds the most exciting and promising [research](/advancing-research "Advancing Research") ideas in the Parkinson’s disease (PD) field. In our latest Neuro Talk, Chief Scientific Officer James Beck, PhD, is joined by three researchers whose [studies were funded](/advancing-research/for-researchers "For Researchers") by the Parkinson’s Foundation. Their projects, which range from investigating [environmental factors](/understanding-parkinsons/causes/environmental-factors "Environmental Factors") to understanding [cognition](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/cognitive "Cognitive Changes"), explain how research is helping us further our understanding of Parkinson’s.

  

 [Watch the latest Parkinson’s disease videos on our YouTube channel.](https://www.parkinson.org/youtube)

  ##  About the Researchers 

 - ###   Briana De Miranda, PhD   
    
    [Dr. De Miranda](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/briana-de-miranda "Briana De Miranda, PhD") received a [Postdoctoral Fellowship for Basic Scientists](/advancing-research/for-researchers/fellowships-early-career-awards "Fellowships & Early Career Awards") to study the role environmental exposures play in the risk for developing Parkinson’s disease.
    
    [Environmental factors](/understanding-parkinsons/causes/environmental-factors "Environmental Factors") that are linked to increased PD risk include pesticides, such as rotenone and paraquat, and the industrial solvent trichloroethylene (TCE). These chemicals disrupt the functioning of the mitochondria, the “powerhouse” of the cell. In addition, Dr. De Miranda has found that rotenone, paraquat and TCE cause activation of the protein affected by one of the most [commonly inherited PD genetic mutations](/understanding-parkinsons/causes/genetics/understanding-genetics "Understanding Genetics"), LRRK2.
    
    [Read about Dr. De Miranda’s study](/blog/research/environmental-contaminants "Meet the Researcher: Do Environmental Contaminants Increase Parkinson’s Risk?")
    
     ![Briana De Miranda Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/Briana_De_Miranda-Accordion.jpg?itok=tC5srpzk)
- ###   Tim Sampson, PhD   
    
    Dr. Sampson received a [Stanley Fahn Junior Faculty Award](/advancing-research/for-researchers/awards-independent-investigators "Awards for Independent Investigators") to understand how Parkinson’s-linked pesticides affect the gut microbiome, the complex community of bacteria and other microbes, in the intestinal tract.
    
    Studies suggest that people with PD harbor distinct gut microbiomes. By identifying gut microbiome changes, the effects of those specific changes on the body, and interactions between [environmental exposure and genetic factors](/understanding-parkinsons/causes/environmental-factors "Environmental Factors"), Dr. Sampson hopes to link how [insecticides](/blog/awareness/CSO-update "Update from our CSO: Pesticides, Paraquat and Parkinson’s") trigger these defects of the intestinal tract and trigger Parkinson’s symptoms.
    
    [Read about Dr. Sampson’s study](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/tim-sampson "Tim Sampson, PhD")
    
     ![Timothy Sampson headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/Timothy-Sampson.jpg?itok=tGVVJEfk)
- ###   Kevin Wilkins, PhD   
    
    Dr. Wilkins received a [Postdoctoral Fellowship for Basic Scientists](/advancing-research/for-researchers/fellowships-early-career-awards "Fellowships & Early Career Awards") to investigate how cognitive issues in Parkinson’s impact movement symptoms.
    
    While [therapies](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment "Treatment") are available for some [movement symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms "Movement Symptoms") of PD, people with Parkinson’s may also deal with [cognitive issues](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/cognitive "Cognitive Changes") related to memory or attention. Dr. Wilkins is working to determine which PD symptoms are left unaddressed by current approaches, in hopes of developing novel treatments.
    
     ![Kevin Wilkins headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/Kevin_Wilkins-accordion.jpg?itok=o7JpREA5)
 
  ##  Related Blog Posts 

   ![Brittany Krzyzanowski headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/mtr-brittany-krzyzanowski-preview.jpg?h=9105c3fe&itok=eC-nucBL)  

 Advancing Research 

###  [ From Golf Courses to Industrial Solvents: Meet the Researcher Investigating Parkinson's Risk ](/blog/research/meet-brittany-krzyzanowski) 

 

  READ NOW  

 ![Woman working from home with family in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/2026-science-news-6-blog-hero.jpg?h=ed9ce7df&itok=FfSOrcf_)  

 Science News 

###  [ Early-Onset Parkinson’s in Younger Adults Is Rising Worldwide, Global Study Finds ](/blog/science-news/early-onset-parkinsons-rising) 

 

  READ NOW  

 ![Worker spraying toxic pesticides on plantation](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/policy-paraquat-bill-hero.jpg?h=ed9ce7df&itok=D-GwkZcd)  

 Policy & Advocacy 

###  [ Meet the Bill: The Paraquat Prevention Act ](/blog/policy/paraquat-prevention-act) 

 

  READ NOW  

 

 [view all blogs](/resources-support/blog) 

  

 ###  Join the PD GENEration Today 

 PD GENEration is an initiative that offers genetic testing and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson’s disease.

 [ENROLL NOW](/advancing-research/our-research/pdgeneration) 

 

 

 

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