Doctor leads fight against Parkinson's

Dr. Carrolee Barlow is chief executive of the Parkinsons Institute and Clinical Center. / photo by Charlie Neuman * U-T San Diego

Its a long commute from Solana Beach to Silicon Valley, but its one Dr. Carrolee Barlow is willing to make for the chance to lead one of the nations premiere research institutes on Parkinsons disease.

Barlow became chief executive of the Parkinsons Institute and Clinical Center in March after a distinguished career in drug development with private companies like Merck Research Laboratories and the local biotech firm BrainCells Inc. She is just the second CEO for the Sunnyvale-based institute since its establishment 25 years ago.

Barlow said the institutes founder, Dr. J. William Langston, had a lot to do with her decision to accept her current position.

In 1982, Langston revolutionized Parkinsons research when he discovered that a neurotoxin called MPTP produces Parkinsons-like muscular paralysis. His finding came after a clever bit of medical detective work that linked cases of young residents in the Bay Area who all used the same bad batch of synthetic heroin. The drug caused their muscles to lock up in ways similar to what happens with Parkinsons disease.

The MPTP breakthrough led to the best model for simulating Parkinsons and searching for treatments.

Barlow said the idea of succeeding someone whose work she studied in medical school was inspiring.

For me to be able to interact with him and be the person that hes going to pass the reins to, thats a pretty big deal, she said.

Her comments came during a recent interview with U-T San Diego. Here is an edited version of that conversation:

Question: Your career has largely dealt with oncology and rare diseases. What intrigued you about running a nonprofit organization focused on Parkinsons disease?

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Doctor leads fight against Parkinson's