Deep Phenotyping for Parkinson's Disease
(PPMI Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to understand how Parkinson's disease (PD) progresses over time. It does not test a new drug but observes participants to identify markers that indicate how the disease develops and changes. The goal is to find these markers to aid in creating future treatments that slow PD's effects. Ideal candidates include those recently diagnosed with PD, individuals with specific genetic markers related to PD, or healthy individuals without close family members with PD. Participants should be comfortable providing consent and temporarily stopping certain medications if needed for imaging tests. As an unphased study, this trial offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that could lead to future breakthroughs in PD treatment.
Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?
Participants taking certain medications like alpha methyldopa, methylphenidate, amphetamine derivatives, or modafinil must stop these drugs for a specific period before SPECT imaging. If you are currently on medications like levodopa or dopamine agonists, you may not be eligible, especially if taken recently. Always discuss with the trial team to understand how your current medications might affect your eligibility.
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the PPMI Clinical trial because it aims to establish a deeply phenotyped cohort for Parkinson's Disease (PD). Unlike traditional treatments that focus on managing symptoms, this observational study seeks to gather comprehensive data on the progression and characteristics of PD. By doing so, it could lead to a better understanding of the disease, potentially paving the way for more targeted and effective therapies in the future. The trial's focus on deep phenotyping is unique as it combines genetic, imaging, and clinical data to provide a holistic view of the disease, which is not typically possible with standard treatment methods.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Caroline Tanner, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
Kenneth L Marek, MD
Principal Investigator
Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Initial assessments to establish baseline clinical, digital, imaging, biologic, and genetic markers
Longitudinal Observation
Participants are observed over time to assess progression of clinical features and markers of Parkinson's disease
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the main observation period
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Observational Study
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Lead Sponsor
Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders
Collaborator