The Parkinson's, Environment and Genes study is a large scale study of 400 Parkinson's disease patients and normal controls who live and work in the agricultural area of California's Central Valley. Although there has long been a suspected association between pesticide exposure and Parkinson's disease, no conclusive studies have been conducted to establish a link. A collaboration involving the UCLA Movement Disorders Clinic, School of Public Health, Center for Brain Genetics, and local health professionals in the area, this study utilizes over 20 years of accurate records of all pesticide use in the area, detailed individual interviews, and genetic analysis, to establish how genes and environmental toxins increase the risk factors for Parkinson's disease.

The goal of the UCLA CGEP is to determine the relationship of environmental factors (specifically, pesticide exposure) and genetics in the development of Parkinson's disease. One of 3 such centers nationwide, the CGEP is a highly collaborative research effort among neurologists, epidemiologists, and basic scientists at UCLA, employing cellular, drosophila, and rodent models, as well as genetic studies of a well-characterized PD patient population within the California Central Valley, to uncover the underlying degenerative processes. Our group has previously identified a number of potential molecules involved in the same cellular pathways that regulate dopamine (the key neurotransmitter in Parkinson's disease).  The exact contribution and importance of each of these molecules will be further assessed in cellular studies, and their function in disease and health evaluated in rodent and fly models.  Human studies will be used to determine whether genetic variations in these molecules of interest play a role in disease vulnerability, and the interactions of genes with pesticide exposure as well as other genes will be carefully dissected. We expect the results of these studies will provide us with new insight into the degenerative process, as well as present us with novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

In 2001, the VA established six Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs). The PADRECCs serve as Centers of Excellence by providing state-of-the-art clinical care, groundbreaking research, and national education and outreach. The SW PADRECC is a consortium of 8 VAs in the Southwest US where clinical, educational, and research activities are coordinated with the hub at the West LA VA.

As an APDA Center for Advanced Research at UCLA, the CSPD is committed to stimulating new ideas and collaborative efforts in Parkinson's disease research. The generous funding provided by the APDA for the Center has made a significant contribution to PD research by bringing in investigators from various fields, whose expertise enhances and broadens research efforts.