Overview

The Fleming lab does research on multiple aspects of Parkinson’s disease that range from identifying molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction of environmental and genetic factors in PD, to testing potential therapeutics (biologics, re-purposed drugs, and exercise therapy) in animal models, to developing a novel protocol for dance therapy for patients. At the core of each of these investigative areas is behavioral function because this is ultimately what we are trying to improve for patients.

Current work

1. The effect of treadmill exercise in the alpha-synuclein preformed fibril rat model of Parkinson’s disease: We find that exercise improves aspects of movement and cognition, and we are now working to extend this project to further investigate the effect of exercise on cognitive and neuropsychiatric function in the alpha-synuclein preformed fibril model of Parkinson’s disease.
2. Gene x Environment interactions in Parkinsonism: We are currently investigating heavy metal exposure and genetic vulnerability on motor and cognitive function to determine how behavior deficits correlate with cellular dysfunction.
3. Developing a protocol to determine the effect of ballroom dance training on motor coordination and neuropsychiatric function: We are using motion capture equipment and software to measure coordination between partners during different ballroom dances.

Select funders

1R01ES031124
“ATP13A2 and susceptibility to neurodegeneration”
PI: Sheila Fleming, Ph.D.
Agency: NIH/ NIEHS
This grant will investigate how loss of ATP13A2 function affects manganese and alpha-synuclein toxicity in mice.

W81XWH-19-0772
“Exercise effects on synuclein aggregation, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration”
Initiating PI: Caryl Sortwell, Ph.D.
Partnering PI: Sheila Fleming, Ph.D.
Agency: Department of Defense, Biological mechanisms of impact from exercise on neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease
This grant will determine the therapeutic efficacy of exercise in an optimized alpha-synuclein model of Parkinson’s disease.

Open positions

See any open positions in this lab on the NEOMED careers site.

Video and story

From Ignite magazine: Showing the progression of Parkinson’s Disease

In a Department of Defense-funded study, researchers in the Fleming Lab investigate the impact of exercise on Parkinson’s pathology and cognitive dysfunction.