Each year, the Paul Ruby Foundation selects a research proposal to raise funds for projects connected to finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. Projects involved with improving quality of life or the treatment of Parkinson's symptoms may also be considered. The Foundation tends to fund smaller projects with seed money, those projects that might not happen without external support.

Once we determine how much money can be donated, we request a written proposal explaining the project. This is followed up with a presentation to our board.

Here are some of the more recent projects that have received funding from the Paul Ruby Foundation:

2009 - $75,000 to fund
Biological Rhythms in Parkinson’s Disease, by Aleksandar Videnovic, MD, MSc

2008 - $50,000 to fund
Circadian Rhythms and Sleep/Wake Cycles in Parkinson’s Disease by Aleksander Videnovic, MD, MSc

AAN Foundation and The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Honor Chicago Researcher for Parkinson’s Research

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Foundation and the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) awarded the 2008 Parkinson’s Disease Foundation/AAN Foundation Clinician-Scientist Development Award to Aleksandar Videnovic, MD, MSc, an assistant professor at Northwestern University in Chicago, for his research into sleep disorders in Parkinson’s patients. The three-year award which provides an annual salary of $75,000 was formally presented during the American Academy of Neurology's 60th Annual Meeting in Chicago, held April 12–19, 2008.

The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation/AAN Foundation Clinician Scientist Development Award is designed to encourage Parkinson’s drug discovery and development of therapies that will treat Parkinson’s disease.

Videnovic was awarded the prize based on his study titled “Circadian Rhythm and Sleep/Wake Cycle in Parkinson’s Disease Patients with Excessive Daytime Somnolence.” “Disturbed circadian rhythms are a known cause of sleep dysfunction in the general population, but have not been systematically studied in Parkinson’s disease,” said Videnovic.

“We may gain novel insights into the pathophysiology of sleep dysfunction and define a role for chronobiologic treatment strategies for the management of sleep dysfunction in Parkinson’s,” explained Videnovic. “Such strategies are highly desirable since available pharmacological interventions have been of modest benefit, and may cause unacceptable side effects.”

The award also provides $10,000 towards institutional education.

The American Academy of Neurology Foundation works with the American Academy of Neurology to support research for the prevention, treatment and cure of neurologic disorders.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. For more information, visit www.aan.com. The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) is a leading national presence in Parkinson’s disease research, education and public advocacy. PDF is working for the nearly one million people in the US living with Parkinson’s by funding promising scientific research and supporting people with Parkinson’s, their families and caregivers through education programs and support services. Since its founding in 1957, PDF has funded over $70 million worth of scientific research in Parkinson’s disease, supporting the work of leading scientists throughout the world. For more information, visit www.pdf.org.

2007 - $75,000 towards Michael J. Fox Foundation