dc.description.abstract | Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects more than one million people in the
EU. It currently has no definitive cure, meaning that patients rely only
on symptomatic treatments, which themselves are burdened by side
effects. The need for advancements in both knowledge and available
treatments is thus strongly felt by patients, caregivers, and health
operators. This unmet need sparked the idea of orchestrating a
collaborative effort via a common network – IMMUPARKNET (The role
of IMMUnity in tackling PARKinson’s disease through a Translational NETwork).
The IMMUPARKNET COST Action focuses on challenges in PD and its
related crosstalk with immune response. Although widely recognized,
the role of immunity in the onset and development of PD is still
unclear. The main goal of IMMUPARKNET is to fill this knowledge gap
by establishing an innovative, interdisciplinary research network and
fostering exchanges of expertise among specialists from different
countries and institutions.
As we gather scientists and clinicians who study immunity in PD and
related fields, IMMUPARKNET will establish the first nucleus of a
multidisciplinary ecosystem that aims to harmonize efforts and
approaches, both in research and clinical practice, to boost the
development of ground-breaking treatments for PD. Through
meetings, training schools, webinars, position papers, and review
manuscripts, IMMUPARKNET will lead fruitful exchanges of know-how
among experts in the field.
The IMMUPARKNET structure revolves around 5 working groups, with
a total of 157 active members from 34 different countries. Of these
active members, 58.5% are young researchers, while 67.5% come
from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC - less research-intensive
COST Members; https://www.cost.eu/about/members/).
IMMUPARKNET output will facilitate the improved sharing and
development of research resources, straightening the road to novel
treatments and identifying where existing ones can be repurposed,
all, ultimately and hopefully, finding a cure for PD. | sr |