Investigating early signs and risk factors for Parkinson's disease

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research focuses on identifying the early features and natural history of prodromal Parkinson's disease (PPD), which is the stage before the full onset of Parkinson's disease. By leveraging extensive data from large cohorts of individuals, the study aims to monitor the progression of early symptoms and identify biomarkers that could indicate the likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease. Participants will undergo various assessments, including olfactory tests and surveys, to gather comprehensive data on their health and symptoms over time. The goal is to enhance understanding of PPD and lay the groundwork for future prevention trials.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Harvard School of Public Health
  Boston, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Ascherio, Alberto — Harvard School of Public Health
• Study coordinator: Ascherio, Alberto

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• How Nurr1 interacts with Parkinson's risk factors and how drugs or natural molecules might control it

  This project explores whether drugs and natural molecules that activate Nurr1 can help protect the dopamine-producing brain cells affected in Parkinson's disease.

  NIH research Mclean Hospital · Belmont, United States · NIH-11324951

• Markers and risk factors for early (prodromal) Parkinson's and how it progresses

  This project follows people with early signs of Parkinson's to find markers that predict who will go on to develop Parkinson's and how symptoms change over time.

  NIH research Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · Boston, United States · NIH-11317223

• Investigating how Nurr1 interacts with Parkinson's disease risk factors and its regulation by specific compounds.

  This study is looking at a protein called Nurr1 to see how it affects the brain cells that produce dopamine in people with Parkinson's disease, and it hopes to find new ways to help slow down the disease by testing different natural and synthetic compounds that can boost Nurr1's activity.

  NIH research Mclean Hospital · Belmont, United States · NIH-11086085

• Gut-brain clues in Parkinson’s disease: supplement to a large registry

  A plant-wide supplement to an NIH program will enroll people with Parkinson’s, with and without GI symptoms, plus healthy controls, to study how gut function, brain signals, and sleep rhythms relate to Parkinson’s symptoms.

  NIH research Columbia University Health Sciences · New York, United States · NIH-11612995

• P-CARRS-BRAIN: Predicting Alzheimer’s risk in South Asians in India using genetic, behavior, and vascular data

  Aims to predict Alzheimer’s disease risk in middle-aged South Asians by combining genetic, lifestyle, and vascular information to catch early changes before dementia develops.

  NIH research Emory University · Atlanta, United States · NIH-11604418

• P-CARRS-BRAIN: Predicting Alzheimer’s risk in South Asians in India using genetics, behavior, and vascular data

  Aimed at people 21 and older, this project looks at how biology, behavior, and blood vessel health together may signal the early risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in South Asians.

  NIH research Emory University · Atlanta, United States · NIH-11604417

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.