Air Liquide awarded grant by The Michael J. Fox Foundation

Air Liquide has been awarded a $125,000 grant by The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson’s Research for its preclinical study “Xenon inhalation to reduce L-Dopa-induced dyskinesia”.

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the death of cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger that aids in the coordination of movement in the body. The main therapy has historically consisted of increasing the dopamine levels in the brain by administering a dopamine agonist. One of the distressing side effects of L-Dopa (the gold standard dopamine agonist) is called dyskinesia, or abnormal involuntary movements. This study aims to determine if dyskinesia could be lessened by Xenon, a drug that is already market approved for anesthesia.

This planned preclinical study aims to provide preliminary results that could lead to a “proof of concept” clinical study. It will be conducted by Motac Neuroscience Ltd Institute (Manchester UK), and will start in September 2011.

Air Liquide is pursuing extensive R&D programs in Healthcare to provide innovation solutions for hospital and homecare markets.

About The Michael J.Fox Foundation

As the world’s largest private funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today.

The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson’s patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers.

For more information, visit the website of The Michael J Fox Foundation and the facebook community