Investigating early signs of Parkinson's Disease in skin tissues
Official title: Early pathogenesis and diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease in peripheral tissues
Funded at Portland VA Medical Center · NIH-11097141 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at skin samples from veterans to find early signs of Parkinson's Disease, helping us understand the condition better and improve how we diagnose it before it gets worse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Portland VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2BX005760-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11097141 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include veterans, particularly older males, who may be experiencing early, non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not veterans or those who do not exhibit any early symptoms of Parkinson's Disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the early stages of Parkinson's Disease (PD) by examining peripheral skin tissues for pathologic features associated with the disease. It aims to identify subtle symptoms that may occur before a formal diagnosis, particularly in veterans who are at higher risk. By linking these findings to clinical and genetic data, the study seeks to enhance our understanding of PD progression and improve diagnostic methods. The research will involve collecting and analyzing skin biopsies from participants to uncover early indicators of the disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of Parkinson's Disease, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been limited studies on skin pathology related to Parkinson's Disease, this approach is innovative and aims to fill significant knowledge gaps in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Portland VA Medical Center
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scott, Gregory David — Portland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Scott, Gregory David
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.