Group donates $50,000 toward Parkinson's reseach

For now, Paul Ruby sleeps fine at night.

But Ruby, who is fighting Parkinson's disease, knows that one day he may not. And if that ever happens, he knows he'll need help.

On Wednesday, Ruby and nine members of his foundation decided to donate $50,000 toward a research project at Northwestern University that will examine sleep dysfunctions in Parkinson's patients - and possibly find ways to help them, including Ruby, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2006. They hope the research not only will help develop forms of treatment for Parkinson's patients with sleep disorders, but also provide a glimpse into what causes the disease.

Research indicates that a disorder involving the internal "clock" that regulates sleep may proceed the onset of Parkinson's disease by several years, said Dr. Aleksander Videnovic, Ruby's physician and an assistant professor at Northwestern studying the issue. Sleep disorders are common in Parkinson's patients and affect up to 90 percent of patients in advanced stages of the disease.

Foundation members were hopeful that Videnovic's research could help identify an early biomarker to the disease and aid in treatment. The foundation's donation, which includes money raised from a golf outing and concert this summer, will help fund Videnovic's research for a year.

"If you're able to capture that early in people you might be able to treat the onset of Parkinson's way before it ever appears," said Pete Lindenmeyer, a member of the Paul Ruby Foundation.

Last year, the foundation began its fundraising efforts and donated $70,000 to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. On Wednesday, they learned some of that money may make its way back to Northwestern University in the form of a grant for other Parkinson's related research.

This year, the group opted to select their own research project to fund and partner with Northwestern University's Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders Center, where Ruby receives his treatment. The group opted to make the change so they could see what the foundation's donation could do.

"This is an exciting thing to be writing a check for," Joe Stanton said of funding the sleep disorders study.

In addition to looking at the connection between sleep disorders and Parkinson's disease, the study also will help look different treatments and therapies for Parkinson's patients with sleep disorders.

Ruby, who often notes that someone's money is going to find a cure for Parkinson's, said treating symptoms and quality of life issues for Parkinson's patients is equally as important as finding a cure. He noted that after he began taking medications a year ago he noticed a marked improvement and was able to do things - like swing a golf club - that he wasn't previously able to do.

The group plans to present a check for the research project at a board dinner in November.

For additional information on the foundation visit www.paulrubyfoundation.org