Richardson, Aleksunes funded to research gene-environment interactions between pesticides and neurodegeneration including Parkinson’s Disease

Jason Richardson and Lauren Aleksunes, co-PIs, were awarded $1,250,000 (direct costs) by NIH/NIEHS for Gene-Environment Interactions in Neurodegeneration: Role of Efflux Transporters.  (1R01-ES021800-A1, 07/01/14 – 06/30/19).

The overall objective of this proposal is to identify MDR1 as a primary efflux transporter responsible for removing pesticides from the brain and protecting against neurodegeneration. This project will provide a mechanistic insight into the associations between pesticide exposure, MDR1 genetic variation, and neurodegeneration. By studying the interaction of genetic variation, inflammation, and environmental exposure, we will likely demonstrate the convergence of multiple pathways previously implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. This, in turn, could lead to new avenues in identifying individuals most susceptible to pesticides-induced neurotoxicity and potentially lead to therapeutic interventions to increase clearance of pesticides from the brain.