Welcome to the Poston Lab

The Poston Lab seeks to understand the underlying pathophysiological processes involved in neurodegenerative diseases leading to movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Our research focuses on the changes related to specific symptoms, including both motor and cognitive/behavioral symptoms. While current medical and surgical treatments can substantially improve many of the motor symptoms caused by Parkinson’s disease, none of the currently available treatments can cure the disease, alter the disease progression, or significantly treat many of the non-motor symptoms, such as memory problems. Our lab is working to bridge this treatment gap by using fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers. These include blood-based tests, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, amyloid and Tau PET scans, and functional and structural MRI. We aim to develop novel biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy, and aid in prognosis, prediction and monitoring of disease progression. Additionally, we investigate the efficacy of investigational treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

Find out more about clinical studies that are currently recruiting participants. Both people with Parkinson’s disease and people without Parkinson’s disease (i.e. healthy controls) are eligible for many of our research studies. See our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.