New hope to find a cure for Parkinson's

Lysimachos Zografos, a 32-year-old research associate, says: ''We hope to raise 100,000 to kickstart our search. Weve already developed a fast and efficient way of testing compounds by using genetically modified fruit flies. With funding in place, we can begin examining existing drugs, developed for other conditions, to see if they could be useful in the treatment of Parkinsons, a process known as repurposing.

New therapies for Parkinsons, which affects about 127,000 Britons, are desperately overdue. Most sufferers of this degenerative neurological condition will be treated with Levodopa, a drug developed in the Sixties, which dampens symptoms such as tremor and muscle rigidity, but does not delay progression, and which has side effects including sickness, confusion and even compulsive behaviour.

Although most cases affect the over-60s, City worker Dominic Moger, 29, was diagnosed with the condition three years ago. He explains: ''I was terrified when I developed a tremor in my left hand, and I took the diagnosis very badly. I was absolutely petrified at what the future might hold.

''I have had to adjust to gradually worsening symptoms, although thankfully no mental impairment. But the only drugs available are for symptom control, so Parkures crowdfunding effort is very good news. Finding a cure is essential.

Dr Zografoss team hopes to do just that, by testing up to 10,000 drug compounds every year.

Steve Ford, chief executive of Parkinsons UK, says: ''Were supportive of any efforts to increase the amount of research for a cure. Parkures approach to crowdfund support for drug testing in fruit flies is novel, and just one of the many avenues that will bring us closer to a cure.

Edinburgh is a natural home for medical innovation. Malcolm Bateman, of the Edinburgh Science Triangle, a partnership which includes four universities and six research institutes, says the citys track record includes ''insulin (1922), penicillin (1928), the Hepatitis B vaccine (1978) and the MRI scanner (1980), so we are hugely hopeful that Parkure might follow in this legacy.

Anyone who takes up a share in the crowdfunding could benefit financially if the venture is commercially successful. The test could also be used to look for drugs for other conditions such as Alzheimers.

No one would be more delighted than Dominic. ''My girlfriend, family and friends have been unbelievably supportive, and they help me out of my more macabre moments. Ive had to become more reflective on life, and I do look forward to the future. And I feel positive that steps are being taken towards a cure.

For more details, see parkure.co.uk

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New hope to find a cure for Parkinson's