UCLA receives $9M to lead study connecting pollution and pesticides to Parkinson’s risk

UCLA Health has announced a $9 million grant from Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s, in partnership with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, to lead a three-year study on how pesticides and air pollution contribute to Parkinson’s disease risk and progression. The collaboration with Cedars-Sinai and the University of Münster in Germany will examine exposed populations, stem-cell-derived brain cells, and animal models to identify molecular pathways linked to the disease. The research aims to clarify how environmental exposure and genetics interact and support development of new treatments.