HC Deb 29 November 1979 vol 974 cc745-8W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what research is funded by his Department into the prevention of Parkinson's disease; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what research is being funded by his Department or the Medical Research

Mrs. Chalker

Only the table given in the reply to my hon. Friend on 15 November needs to be amended following the November uprating of social security benefits. The information on income tax refunds and the assumptions quoted in the reply of 15 November are unchanged, except that the £50 level of earnings there will be entitlement to family income supplement after the November uprating In comparing the net weekly spending power of a person in and out of work following the uprating, it is of course necessary to bear in mind that the table does not reflect the increases in earnings which have taken place since benefit rates were previously increased in November 1978.

Council into the causes and possible cure of Parkinson's disease; and if he will make make a statement.

Dr. Vaughan

The main Government-funded body supporting research into Parkinson's disease and in fields relevant to the disease is the Medical Research Council from funds provided by the Department of Education and Science and by the health departments.

The health departments have identified this condition as justifying priority in research.

Other research supported by Government funds is also conducted in the universities and hospital medical schools.

I understand from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that the Medical Research Council is supporting research as follows: Professor J. S. G. Miller: Newcastle-upon-Tyne University. Analysis of patterns of locomotor activity in the cat. Dr. P. B. C. Matthews: Oxford University. The tonic vibration reflex in the cat and the effect of input patterning. Professor J. H. Wolstencroft: Birmingham University. Supraspinal influences on the flexor withdrawal reflex. Dr. D. M. Armstrong: Bristol University. A study of the activity of red nucleus neurones and cerebellar purkinje cell during locomotion in cats. Dr. J. F. Stein: Oxford University. The role of the basal ganglia in the control of movements in trained rhesus monkeys. Dr. Brenda Costall: Bradford University. Dopaminergic and serotonergic control of dyskinetic phenomena in the rodent. Dr. D. M. Armstrong: Bristol University. Computer facilities for ananysis of neuronal discharges during locomotion in cats. Dr. J. J. B. Jack: Oxford University. Spinal motor mechanisms in experimental spasticity. Dr. P. G. Spenner: Institute of Psychiatry, London. The function of the strio-pallidal encephalin pathway in motor behaviour in rodents. Professor C. D. Marsden: Institute of Psychiatry London Development of pro-drugs of levodopa for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The biochemical basis of some neurological disorders. Characterisation of adenylate cyclase dependent and independent dopamine receptors in the brain of animals and man. The physiological basis of motor disorders. The function of long-latency "trancoritical" responses to muscle stretch in health and disease. Human motor physiology in health and disease. Dr. P. W. Nathan, Institute of Neurology London. The Mechanisms of clonus. Dr. P. M. H. Rack, Birmingham University. Human and simian stretch reflexes, their variability and their abnormalities. Dr. Gerta Vrbova, University College London. Mechanisms involved in the development of different types of motor units. Dr. M. C. Smith, Institute of Neurology London. Pathways associated with normal control and movement and tone and their dysfunction in disease. MRC Brain: Metabolism Unit Edinburgh. Clinical, biochemical and pharmacological studies in Parkinsonism, other movement disorders and dementia. MRC Brain Metabolism Unit Edinburgh. Mapping of transmitter systems in human brain—schizophrenia, manic depressive illness, movement disorder, dementias. MRC Environmental Physiology Unit London. Studies of temperature control with reference to genetic factors, certain clinical conditions including Parkinson's disease) and control of heat stroke. MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Units Cambridge. Neurophysiological studies of transmitter receptors in mammalian CNS; actions of pshychoactive drugs. MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Unito Cambridge. Microchemical and histochemical studies of distribution of transmitters in CNS. MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Unit Cambridge. Uptake, storage and release of transmitters from neurones and glia; effects of drugs. MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Unit Cambridge Effects of anti-psychotic and other psychoactive drugs on dopamine receptors in CNS.