July 7, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Ryan Walsh, M.D., Ph.D., instructor and Schumann Fellow of Neurology in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Neurology, is one of 14 recipients nationwide of grants from the Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) designed to help researchers understand the causes of Parkinson's and to find a cure for the disease.

The awards, totaling $1.2 million, will support the work of 14 leading scientists and are provided through two key PDF research programs, International Research Grants and Research Fellowship Grants.  The first program seeks to fund "high-risk/high-reward" projects that may have a significant impact upon Parkinson's science; the second aims to support the projects of scientists who are in the early stages of their careers.

"The work of this year's grantees is replete with original ideas for improving our understanding of Parkinson's disease at the most basic levels, and finding new approaches to treating it," said Stanley Fahn, M.D., research director for PDF. "We need to be sure that the best talent is attracted to the challenge of solving Parkinson's and helping those who live with it. 

"Funding the projects of leading scientists and young fellows. . . is the best way to make this happen," Fahn said.

Walsh's research focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease as well as experimental studies using MRI to understand the effect of Parkinson's on the brain. He earned his M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine and served a residency in neurology at the University of Chicago before joining UAB in 2008.

In fiscal year 2010, PDF contributed $5.5 million toward Parkinson's research programs around the world. 

About the UAB Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Research Program

The UAB Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Research Program provides leading-edge, comprehensive clinical care and conducts research to discover causes and treatments for Parkinson's disease and other neurological movement disorders. The program also works to better educate health care professionals and the public on Parkinson's disease.