The Philosophy Behind Our Funding
The Davis Phinney Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease – today and in future. This mission drives our funding decisions.
Our investments fall into two areas:
Because we are a small foundation, we focus on funding smaller, early-phase, innovative studies that ideally lead to greater funding. Two of our recent efforts have followed this path: Pilot data generated from a study we sponsored on depression demonstrated proof of concept and subsequently received substantial funding by the National Institute of Health. Another recent study on alpha synuclein resulted in Michael J. Fox funding to further advance their research.
Research Funded by Davis Phinney Foundation
Unveiling the Natural History of Quality of Life and Mobility Decline in Persons with Parkinson's Disease
Little is known about how Parkinson's disease (PD) impacts the quality of life and day to day function of people living with this disease. Investigators of this study are interested in learning more about the changes in quality of life and mobility that occur in people with PD over the course of the disease. People with PD will be asked to answer questions about their quality of life and daily function in addition to participating in tests which examine walking and balance.
In addition, the investigators of this study are interested in participants' view of exercise and their exercise habits. Previous research has demonstrated that exercise improves quality of life and mobility in people with PD. Participants will be asked to answer questions about the types of activities and exercise they are engaging in, their attitudes and beliefs about exercise and the barriers that may limit participation in exercise. This information will help investigators optimize the design of exercise programs for people with PD.
Participants will undergo this evaluation process once every six months over a two-year period so that investigators can examine the changes that occur in quality of life, mobility and exercise habits over the course of the disease.
For more information or to enroll in this study go to www.PDtrials.org
A Consensus Meeting to Discuss Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease
On April 1st-3rd The Parkinson Alliance (with shared sponsorship
provided by the Davis Phinney Foundation, the LSVT Foundation, and the
National Parkinson Foundation) convened a panel of the world’s experts
on DBS for PD. The task assigned to these experts was not to craft a
typical consensus statement for themselves, but to come up with a
document aimed squarely at their true customers—the patients. These
world leaders discussed the current matters related to DBS therapy and
where we need to go with this intervention. The ultimate focus was on
improving the effectiveness of the intervention and the quality of life
of those individuals who have undergone or those who will choose to
undergo DBS.
The topics of the Consensus Meeting were many and included patient
selection, gait and speech DBS outcomes, non-motor DBS outcomes (mood
and cognition) and long-term DBS outcomes, to name a few.
Click here to view a written report of the Open Forum that occurred at the Consensus Meeting.
DPF Funding Opportunities
Funding for 2010 has been determined. Please check back for more information regarding 2011 funding and grant application requirements. | Victory Summit - A Moving Event for People Living with Parkinson’s
Every Victory Counts - Essential Information and Inspiration for a Lifetime of Wellness
DPF Funded Research - Longitudinal Multi-Center Study
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