ADDF and Michael J. Fox Foundation Partner on $5 Million Biomarker Effort

The collaboration leverages the ADDF’s Diagnostics Accelerator to address a primary hurdle in neurodegenerative research: the difficulty of monitoring disease biology in real-time without invasive procedures. Alpha-synuclein, a protein that clumps in the brains of roughly 6 million Parkinson's patients and up to 50% of those with Alzheimer's, remains a key target for the joint funding effort. By identifying these protein clusters early, researchers intend to refine clinical trials and move the field toward more effective precision medicine.

This project builds on previous successes, such as the development of cerebrospinal fluid assays that enabled early detection of alpha-synuclein pathology. By integrating findings from the Parkinson’s Precision Medicine Initiative with broader Alzheimer's research, the two organizations seek to uncover shared mechanisms between the conditions. This cross-disciplinary approach is intended to help scientists better match specific therapies to the underlying biology of individual patients, ultimately improving diagnostic accuracy for those living with neurodegenerative decline.