PROGRAM

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND NEW THERAPIES

IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE

NOVEMBER 23 & 24, 2012

CEREMONIAL HALL, COPENHAGEN UNIVERSITY

13.00-13.15 WELCOME BY PATRON COUNTESS ALEXANDRA

13.15-15.30 EARLY DIAGNOSIS IN PARKINSON’S DISEASEChairmen: Hartwig Siebner, Professor, MD, DMSc, Head of Danish Re-search Centre for Magnetic Resonance (DRCMR), Hvidovre Hospital and Erik Danielsen, PhD, ass. Professor, consultant neurologist, Dept. of Neu-rology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus.

How early can Parkinson’s disease be diagnosed? Roger Barker, Professor, PhD, MRCP, Brain Repair Centre, School of Clini-cal Medicine, Adenbrookes Hospital and Cambridge University, UK.Roger Barker is principal investigator at the Brain Repair Centre and reader

at Cambridge University. His research in Parkinson’s and Huntington’s dis-

eases covers disease heterogeneity, genetic and other biomarkers for onset

and progression as well as the development and evaluation of developing

novel therapies. He is coordinator of the TRANSEURO project on fetal cell

based therapy in Parkinson’s disease.

SPECT brain-imaging in early Parkinson’s disease Annemette Løkkegaard, PhD, Assist. Professor, consultant, Dept. of Neu-rology, Bispebjerg Hospital.Annemette Løkkegaard has wide clinical experience in Movement disorders, a

PhD in Parkinson’s disease as well as research publications in scientific and clini-

cal journals.

PET brain-imaging in early Parkinson’s diseasePer Borghammer, MD, PhD, DMSc, Aarhus University Hospital, Center of Functional Integrative Neuroscience.Per Borghammer has research experience in advanced PET imaging in Par-

kinson’s disease and ageing with publication in scientific and clinical jour-

nals.

What can MRI tell us in the diagnosis of parkinsonian syndromes?Hartwig Siebner, Professor, MD, DMSc, Head of Danish Re search Centre for Magnetic Resonance (DRCMR), Hvidovre Hospital.Hartwig Siebners research achievements and clinical interets include the

func tional pathophysiology of movement disorders and sensorimotor con-

trol in Parkinson’s disease. As part of his use of novel applications of func-

tional and structural neuroimaging methods he collaborates with several

national and Eu ropean groups and is heading the Control of Action (Con-

Act) project.

15.30-16.00 BREAK AND REFRESHMENTS

16.00-17.30 EFFECTS OF REHABILITATION AND PSYSICAL EXERCISE IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE?

Chairmen: Consultant Annemette Løkkegaard, Dept. of Neurology, Bispe-bjerg Hospital and Assoc. prof. Bente Rona Jensen, Dept. of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Copenhagen University.

Does vigorous exercise have a neuroprotective effect in Parkinson’s disease?Eric Ahlskog, Professor, MD, PhD, Dept. of Neurology & Udall Centre of Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.J. Eric Ahlskog has a long standing interest and impressive publication record

in Parkinson’s disease pathophysiology, clinics and therapy, which lately also in-

cludes potential effects of physical exercise in movement disorders, ageing and

cognitive decline.

Effects of intensive locomotor training of Parkinson patientsMartin Høyer Rose, PhD-student, MSci, Dept. of Exercise and Sport Sci-ences, Copenhagen University.Martin Rose´s research aims to quantify Parkinson patient motor strategy, func-

tion and plasticity, using neuromechanical methods, including EMG and force

recordings in combination with functional and clinical testing, needed for devel-

opment of efficient treatment and rehabilitation protocols.

Exercise and Parkinson’s disease. A disease modifying effect?Christina Funch Lassen, MD, PhD, The Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen.Christina Funch Lassen been a central research fellow in a large epidemiological

NIH supported study at The Danish Cancer Society with emphasis on evaluating

the risk factors for Parkinson’s disease.

17.30-19.00 TANGO-SESSION FOR EVERYONE – with professional instruction.

20.00 - DINNER

FRIDAY, NOV. 23

09.00-11.00 EVOLVING THERAPIES FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASEChairmen: Professor & Consultant Karen Østergaard, Dept. of Neurology Aarhus University Hospital and Professor Jens Zimmer, Univ. of Southern Denmark and Aalborg University.

Current status of neural grafting in Parkinson’s disease - Lessons and futureRoger Barker, Professor, PhD, MRCP, Brain Repair Centre, School of Clini-cal Medicine, Adenbrookes Hospital and Cambridge University, UK.Roger Barker is principal investigator at the Brain Repair Centre and reader at

Cambridge University. His research in Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases

covers disease heterogeinity, genetic and other biomarkers for onset and progres-

sion as well as the development and evaluation of developing novel therapies.

He is coordinator of the TRANSEURO project on fetal cell based therapy in Par-

kinson’s disease.

Stem cell-based therapy. Current status and developmentsMorten Meyer, Assoc. professor, PhD, Dept. of Neurobiology Research, Inst. of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark.Morten Meyer is heading a research group with focus on experimental control

of neural stem cell differentiation into dopaminergic neuroblasts or neurons, in-

cluding systematic use of in vitro models and grafting to experimental animal

Parkinson’s disease models for tests of functionality.

Gene-therapy in Parkinson’s disease with focus on L-DOPA administrationCarl Rosenblad, Associate specialist, MD, PhD, Dept. Neurology, Inst Clini-cal Sciences Lund, Skåne University Hospital. Carl Rosenblad holds a joint clinical and basic science research position and has

a strong scientific basis in experimental models of Parkinson’s disease and dis-

covery of tests of neuroprotective neural growth factors. His current focus is im-

plementation of a gene therapy ensuring therapeutic and stable L-DOPA levels

in Parkinson patients.

11.00-11.30 BREAK WITH LIGHT LUNCH AND REFRESHMENTS

11.30-13.15 GENETICS IN PARKINSON’S DISEASEChairmen: Assist. Professor Jørgen E. Nielsen, PhD, Clinical Institute, Co-penhagen University Hospital and Lene Werdelin, MD, DMSc., Chairmen of the Danish Parkinson’s Disease Association Research Council.

Genetics of Parkinson’s diseaseThomas Gasser, Professor, DMSc, MD, Hertie – Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany. As professor of neurology Thomas Gasser is Head of the Dept. of Neurodegenera-

tive Diseases at the Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and chairing the

coordination of the efforts in treatment of Parkinson’s disease among a number

of Southern German neurology university clinics. Thomas Gasser is an interna-

tionally leading researcher in the genetic and molecular basis of Parkinson’s dis-

ease, dystonia and other movement disorders, and the diagnostic and therapeu-

tic implications of the findings.

Use of genetics in the daily Parkinson clinicLena Hjermind, Associate specialist, MD, PhD, Dept. of Neurology, Rigs-hospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen.Lena Hjermind has research experience in identification of biomarkers in neuro-

logical diseases, and is engaged in use of biomarkers, incl. results of genetic tests,

in the daily neurology clinic.

13.15-13.30 CONCLUDING REMARKS AND CLOSURE OF SYMPOSIUMMary G. Baker, President, European Brain Council, UK.Lene Werdelin, Chairmen of the Danish Parkinson’s Disease Association Research Council Lene Werdelin, MD, DMSc.

SATURDAY, NOV. 24

NØRRE VOLDGADE 90 DK-1358 KØBENHAVN K TEL. +45 3341 4770 WWW.PARKINSON.DK INFO@PARKINSON.DK