Markers and risk factors for early (prodromal) Parkinson's and how it progresses
Biomarkers and Risk Factors for Prodromal Parkinson's Disease and its Progression
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11317223 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a large group of nurses and health professionals who were screened for early signs like probable REM sleep behavior disorder and constipation and selected for closer follow-up. The team uses mailed smell tests, repeated questionnaires about sleep, movement, and other non-motor features, and long-term tracking to watch for 'phenoconversion' to clinical Parkinson's. They will extend follow-up of this unique cohort and their source population to monitor progression, collect biomarker and risk-factor data, and define prodromal subtypes. The ultimate aim is to create the knowledge needed to design prevention trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with early non-motor signs such as probable REM sleep behavior disorder, reduced sense of smell, or chronic constipation—especially participants already enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study or Health Professionals Follow-up Study—are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who already have a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or who have no prodromal signs are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at highest risk earlier and enable targeted prevention trials to slow or prevent Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked REM sleep behavior disorder, smell loss, and constipation to higher Parkinson's risk, but large, long-term cohort follow-up to map progression and biomarkers at this scale is less common.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ascherio, Alberto — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Ascherio, Alberto
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 below.