## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons) - [My PD Story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories) ## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons) - [My PD Story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories) # My PD Story ![Megan Bucher headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/megan-bucher-pd-story-hero-new.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=snb9Lh6Z) Researchers ## Meghan Bucher, PhD ***2026 Launch Award*** ### Advancing therapies targeting SV2C, an Understudied PD-related Protein [Parkinson’s Foundation research](/advancing-research/our-research/pdgeneration/genetics-behind-pd "Current Findings from PD GENEration") has found that approximately 13% of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have a genetic link to the disease. In these people, a single or multiple [genetic variants](/understanding-parkinsons/causes/genetics/understanding-genetics "Understanding Genetics") alter the function of key proteins in ways that contribute to PD. While several PD-associated variants have been identified, new variants are still being discovered that warrant research to improve our understanding of the disease and how to treat it. A recently discovered PD-linked genetic variant affects a protein called synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2C). Besides its PD association, little had been known about SV2C other than it is likely involved in dopamine transport and release in neurons. Meghan Bucher, PhD, previously received a [2022 Postdoctoral Fellowship](/advancing-research/for-researchers/fellowships-early-career-awards#Postdoctoral "Fellowships & Early Career Awards") to study how the SV2C protein regulates dopamine in the brain. Her successful work indicated that SV2C may have significant potential as a PD therapy, leveraging her results into follow-on funding from SPARK NS, a program designed to advance discoveries in Parkinson’s disease from the lab to the clinic. Dr. Bucher, now the recipient of a [Parkinson’s Foundation Launch Award](/advancing-research/finding-cure/currently-funded-grants "Currently Funded Grants") will study SV2C further by investigating its role in neuron health, how it is affected in PD, and directly testing the effects of new SV2C-targeting therapeutic compounds. > “This research will investigate the role of SV2C in Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis and investigate whether it is a viable drug target for treatment of Parkinson’s disease.” – Dr. Bucher ![Megan Bucher looking in a microscope.](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/megan-bucher-pd-story-float-new.jpg?itok=4k7tcxQo) Within the lab of Dr. Gary Miller at Columbia University in New York, a [Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network"), Dr. Bucher has developed nematode and mice models with simulated PD through which she will study SV2C. Her study will: - Investigate how normal SV2C affects neuron health and is impacted by simulated PD. - Then, she will switch to the PD-related SV2C variant and observe how that change contributes to disease progression. - Finally, Dr. Bucher will test new drug compounds that specifically target and protect SV2C to keep it functional, determining if they could be useful treatment to slow or stop [PD progression](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/stages "Stages of Parkinson's"). This research from Dr. Bucher will generate new knowledge into how this important but understudied protein works in the brain. These insights will also advance treatment development of SV2C-targeting compounds, offering completely new therapeutic options for people with PD. Dr. Bucher hopes to soon open her own lab to study PD, combining her unique skillset in foundational research and therapeutic development to advance PD treatments. “This support has enabled my research to understand how SV2C contributes to the development of Parkinson's and test the efficacy of pharmacological regulators of SV2C,” said Dr. Bucher. “An SV2C-targeted drug may improve disease outcomes for all people with Parkinson's disease by providing symptomatic relief and by potentially slowing the neurodegenerative process.” **Meet more Parkinson’s researchers! Explore our** [My PD Stories featuring PD researchers](https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/stories?_page=1&keywords=&_limit=9&story=17)**.** ***2022 Postdoctoral Fellowship*** ### Targeting A Protein Involved in Dopamine Regulation Could Improve Effectiveness of Levodopa Meghan Bucher, PhD, of Columbia University Medical Center, a Parkinson’s Foundation [Center of Excellence](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network"), received a [Parkinson’s Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship for Basic Scientists](/advancing-research/for-researchers/fellowships-early-career-awards#BasicScientists "Fellowships & Early Career Awards") to identify compounds that treat the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), either alone or in combination with levodopa. The goal is to improve the effectiveness of PD treatment. There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease or treatment that slows the progression of the disease. PD [treatments](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment "Treatment") are tailored to every person’s individual symptoms. Treatment options can be a combination of physical therapy, [exercise](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise"), medication and others. [Levodopa](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/prescription-medications/levodopa "Levodopa") is the go-to PD medication that treats [movement symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms "Movement Symptoms"), but may become less effective over time. As a result, new approaches to treat Parkinson’s disease are desperately needed. The brain chemical dopamine is responsible for smooth, controlled movements. When the brain cells that produce dopamine die at a fast pace, the [movement symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms "Movement Symptoms") of Parkinson’s begin to occur — including [rigidity](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/rigidity "Rigidity") and [balance issues](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/postural-instability "Postural Instability (Balance & Falls)"). A protein called synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2C (SV2C) helps the brain regulate dopamine transmission. Its expression is enriched in the areas of the brain affected by PD. In previous studies, SV2C has been identified as a risk factor for developing PD. It has also been found to affect how people with Parkinson’s respond to symptom relief from levodopa. “My goal is to develop and screen novel compounds that will target SV2C activity,” said Dr. Bucher. “This research will determine their benefits in treating people with Parkinson’s.” Dr. Bucher will investigate whether SV2C is a target for treatment that could alleviate movement symptoms and halt or slow disease progression. She will also evaluate whether a treatment targeting the protein could improve the effectiveness of levodopa when it comes to minimizing PD symptoms. She has developed a lab test to evaluate compounds that could regulate SV2C activity. She will then use several Parkinson’s models to evaluate the compounds’ effect on dopamine transmission. Of her Parkinson’s Foundation grant award, Dr. Bucher said, “The support of the Parkinson's Foundation will facilitate my transition into an independent investigator. It will allow me to continue my intellectual pursuit researching both the causes of and treatments for Parkinson's disease.” **Meet more Parkinson’s researchers! Explore our** [My PD Stories featuring PD researchers](https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/stories?_page=1&keywords=&_limit=9&story=17). ## Related Materials Fact Sheets ### [ Getting Involved in Research ](/library/fact-sheets/research) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/research) Fact Sheets ### [ Genetics ](/library/fact-sheets/genetics) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/genetics) Books ### [ Women and Parkinson's Research and Care Agenda ](/library/books/women-research-care-agenda) [Read Now](/library/books/women-research-care-agenda) ## More Stories from the Parkinson's community ![Donghe Yang headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/donghe-yang-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=gqYcnmPF) Researchers ### [ Donghe Yang, PhD ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/donghe-yang) READ NOW ![Brent Ryan headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/brent-ryan-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=HFjPtQu_) Researchers ### [ Brent Ryan, PhD ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/brent-ryan) READ NOW ![Per Petersson](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/per-petersson-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=ZsWBORua) Researchers ### [ Per Petersson, PhD ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/per-petersson) READ NOW [VIEW ALL STORIES](/living-with-parkinsons/stories) ### 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. 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