Arita Sarkar arita. sarkar@ mid- day. com FOR the first time, a nationwide study is being carried out on the genetic causes of Parkinsonu2019s Disease, and three of the cityu2019s top hospitals are participating in it. The study will include blood samples collected from 20 hospitals from across the country and is being funded by the US- based Michael J Fox Foundation.

Parkinsonu2019s Disease is a long- term, degenerative, neurological disease that causes a person to lose control over some body functions. While the Michael J Fox Foundation has given grants to various research projects for finding a cure for Parkinsonu2019s Disease, this is the first time it is funding a study in India. The study on the genetic architecture of Parkinsonu2019s Disease has been awarded a grant of R 15 crore.