In 1991, Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Upon disclosing his condition in 1998, he committed himself to campaign for increased Parkinson's research and established the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The Foundation's goals are to increase awareness, provide a voice for Parkinson's disease advocacy and raise funds for research. This month, the Foundation announced that it has awarded 15 grants totaling more than $1.5 million to researchers pursuing a cure for Parkinson's disease.

"This initial round of research grant funding represents an exciting first-step in our Foundation's active involvement in the search for a Parkinson's cure. The overwhelming number of proposals that were submitted affirm our belief that promising research opportunities exist, merely awaiting much-deserved funding," said Michael J. Fox, founder. He believes that with concentrated effort, researchers can pinpoint the cause and cure of Parkinson's disease by 2010.

Know since ancient times, Parkinson's disease, a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects an estimated 1 million people. The disease impairs the central nervous system and has characteristic symptoms including involuntary tremulous motion, lessened muscular power and a propensity to bend the trunk of the body forward. It does not affect the senses or intellect.

The Foundation announced that it has already begun work with the National Institute of Health and other private foundations to develop plans for a joint funding initiative to support additional research.

Audrey S. Penn, M.D., acting director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke said, "Over the next few months, we look forward to working with the Foundation as they join others in a larger public-private partnership to leverage our strengths in research funding and raise awareness of the needs as well as the exciting scientific opportunities in this field.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is dedicated to the fastest possible end to Parkinson's disease. It has launched a campaign to accelerate, expand and focus funding for the world's best research targeting effective treatment and prevention of the disease. A list of grant recipients and their abstracts is located on the Foundation's Website.