Research Roundup: September 9, 2016

UF professor helps discover new method to study Parkinson’s disease

An August study led by a UF professor has discovered a noninvasive and less expensive method to track the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

The approach uses brain-imaging biomarkers and does not require injections, potentially costing thousands of dollars less than other methods, said David Vaillancourt, a professor in UF’s Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Vaillancourt said the new method could be helpful in future studies to evaluate medication used to slow the progression of the disease.

“In Parkinson’s disease, there are good medications that control symptoms,” Vaillancourt said. “But the major, unmet medical need is medications that slow the progression — so that’s why it’s important.”

The method can be applied to other diseases that share similar symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as multiple-system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy.

Vaillancourt said he will continue his research by testing specific medications in a placebo-controlled study over the next five years.

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Relationship between mussels and marsh grass found to be beneficial

An ongoing study is exploring the relationship between mussels and marsh grass, which can help restore ecosystems affected by drought.

Periods of drought in coastal ecosystems across the Southeastern U.S., which can dry marsh soil, may lead to toxic conditions for vegetation, said Christine Angelini, a UF assistant professor of environmental engineering sciences.

Angelini, who helped lead the study, said mussels can prevent marsh soil from drying by creating small pockets of water. After conducting research in several different areas, Angelini found that grass surrounded by clusters of mussels was more likely to survive drought.

She said the idea that mussels can help heal dying marshes is new, but it’s been known for decades that mussels can stimulate grass growth.

“Both species protecting one another can be really important in a variety of extreme climatic events,” Angelini said.

Currently, Angelini’s team is looking into transplanting mussels into struggling marshes as a proactive measure.