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RVC and UCL to pioneer research into Parkinson's disease
Researchers will use the funding to explore the possibilities of future prevention and treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Vets to explore the possibilities of future prevention and treatment.

A pioneering study into the causes and progression of Parkinson's disease is to be carried out by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in collaboration with University College London (UCL).

The news follows a $7 million grant from Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP), an initiative that fosters collaboration and resources to better understand the underlying causes of this debilitating disease.

Researchers will use the funding to explore the possibilities of future prevention and treatment of Parkinson's. Specifically, the team will investigate the role of the LRRK2 gene - one of the most common genetic causes of the disease and a priority drug target.

Dr Patrick Lewis, Professor of Neuroscience at the RVC, said: “The Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s foundation grants represents a new way of approaching research into Parkinson’s, with the clear goal of accelerating progress in our understanding of this disorder. It is a real privilege to be involved in this initiative.”

Parkinson's is a progressive brain disorder that causes slowness, stiffness, tremors and walking and balance problems. The condition affects more than 130,000 people in the UK alone, and the only current available treatments help to alleviate symptoms, but not slow progression of the disease.

Professor Jonathan Elliott, vice-principal (Research and Innovation) at the RVC, said: “The RVC is delighted to be part of this large collaborative effort to advance treatments for Parkinson’s Disease. Neurodegenerative conditions significantly impact on the quality of life of our ageing human population in the UK and Professor Lewis’ role in this collaboration is exciting in its potential to uncover new drug targets to slow progressive loss of functioning neurons."

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.