The Australian Parkinson’s Genetic Study (APGS) is calling for Chinese Australians to take part in ground-breaking nationwide research with the aim to crack the genetic code of Parkinson’s. The study aims to decipher the genetic code of Parkinson’s disease and is calling on Chinese Australians who have been diagnosed with the condition to participate in the research.
There are currently 27,226 eligible individuals in the Fairfield area who are eligible to participate in the study.
APGS is the largest genetic study of Parkinson’s disease ever undertaken worldwide and with the help of Chinese Australians who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, scientists can better understand differences in the disease presentation, progression, and treatment response among different populations.
Parkinson’s disease affects over 100,000 Australians and is thought to be the second most common neurological condition in the country, but its root cause remains poorly understood. The goal of the study is to have at least 15% of its participants from non-European countries.
The Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinson’s research, Shake it up Australia Foundation, and researchers from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute are leading a first of its kind study named the Australian Parkinson’s Genetic Study also known as the APGS. The study is part of a much larger global study into Parkinson’s disease which currently features 7,000 Australians and 160,000 people from a further 58 countries.
Founder of Shake It Up Australia Foundation, Clyde Campbell, who is living with Parkinson’s disease, discloses, “we are truly on the edge of a potential medical breakthrough in our lifetime, which could change the face of the disease. To make that possible though, we need those living with Parkinson’s to sign up so we can understand its complexities. Let’s crack this genetic code so we can make a difference to what living with Parkinson’s looks like in the future.”
By signing up to the participate in the study, participants can be one of the 10,000 required Australians who will play a crucial role in advancing medical breakthroughs in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The study involves a 25-minute commitment from the comfort of one’s home, which includes providing a saliva sample and completing a questionnaire.
Dr Miguel Renteria, lead researcher from QIMR Berghofer, says, that “medical breakthroughs often rely on accurate patient data, and the APGS has the potential to provide this if we have the participants. If you are eligible, we encourage you to join us in this effort to revolutionise our understanding of Parkinson’s”.
The study’s findings may also have broader implications for neurodegenerative disorders, as Parkinson’s disease is just one of many neurological conditions that affect people worldwide. The insights gained from this study may help researchers develop treatments for other disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease.
Participation in the study is strictly confidential, and all participant information will be maintained in accordance with Australian regulations. Participants will play a critical role in advancing medical breakthroughs in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of Parkinson’s, potentially benefiting millions of people worldwide.
To sign up or find out more, visit https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/apgs/
