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PPMI Clinical - Establishing a Deeply Phenotyped PD Cohort

Sponsor: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

NCT ID: NCT04477785

View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

At a glance

What the study gets you
Health checks and monitoring — no treatment given
Type of study
Observational (no treatment given)
Time in hospital
In-person visits at study sites — visit count not specified by the sponsor
Drug or intervention
Not specified by the sponsor
How long the study runs
Study runs about 161 months (dates as stated)
About the drug or intervention
Not specified by the sponsor
Patient visit burden
Not specified by the sponsor

In plain English

This study, run by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, is building a deeply studied group of people affected by Parkinson's disease. It includes people with Parkinson's, people with certain genetic changes linked to Parkinson's, people showing early possible signs, and healthy volunteers for comparison.

Who can take part

  • People with Parkinson's diagnosed within the last 2 years, aged 30 or over, with early-stage symptoms (Hoehn and Yahr stage I or II), who are not expected to need Parkinson's medicine for at least 6 months
  • People with Parkinson's and a confirmed LRRK2 or GBA genetic change, diagnosed within 2 years, aged 30 or over, at stage I or II
  • People with Parkinson's and a confirmed SNCA or other rare genetic change (such as Parkin or Pink1), aged 30 or over, at stage I, II or III
  • People aged 60 or over (30 or over if they have an SNCA or other rare genetic change) with early possible signs of Parkinson's but no diagnosis, chosen using a smell test and risk factors
  • Healthy volunteers aged 57 or over, with no close family member (parent, sibling or child) with Parkinson's
  • All groups must pass a screening brain scan (SPECT imaging, using a DaTscan) and be able to give informed consent
  • Women who could become pregnant must not be pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy, and must have a negative pregnancy test on scan day

Who may not be able to

  • For people with Parkinson's (non-genetic group): currently taking or recently taken Parkinson's medicines such as levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors or amantadine, or having taken levodopa or dopamine agonists for more than 90 days in total
  • Parkinson's-like symptoms caused by other drugs, other illnesses, or conditions such as progressive supranuclear palsy
  • A diagnosis of dementia
  • Taking certain drugs that block dopamine (neuroleptics), metoclopramide or reserpine within 6 months of screening
  • Taking blood-thinning medicines (anticoagulants) that would make a lumbar puncture (spinal fluid sample) unsafe
  • Any condition, such as serious back problems or bleeding disorders, that makes a lumbar puncture unsafe
  • For healthy volunteers: a significant neurological disorder, or a scan showing one
  • For the early-signs group: already having a diagnosis of Parkinson's, another parkinsonism, or dementia, or taking Parkinson's medicines
  • Any other medical, psychiatric or laboratory issue that, in the researcher's view, would make taking part unsuitable

What taking part involves

  • • This is an observational study, so no treatment or medicine is given
  • • Participants have a screening brain scan (SPECT imaging with DaTscan) to check eligibility
  • • Participants have a lumbar puncture to collect spinal fluid
  • • Genetic testing for Parkinson's-related gene changes, where relevant (participants must agree to be told the results)
  • • Some people in the early-signs group are followed for 3 to 5 years to see whether they develop Parkinson's symptoms

Time commitment: Taking part involves screening and baseline study visits with a brain scan, a lumbar puncture and genetic testing, plus ongoing follow-up over several years — exact visit schedule: Not stated — ask the trial team.

Plain-English summary (AI-generated) from registry data. Not eligibility advice — only the trial team can confirm whether you can take part. Use the eligibility checker to see how your health profile matches this trial.

Type of study
Observing health over time
Ages
30 Years and over
Who
All
Number of participants
4,500
Started
2020-07-01
Last checked
2025-10

Plain English Summary

What is this study?

  • • Testing a new treatment for parkinson disease
  • • Clinical study - 4,500 participants
  • • The Parkinson Progression Marker Initiative (PPMI) is a longitudinal, observational, multi-center natural history study to assess progression of clinical features, digital outcomes, and imaging, biologic and genetic markers of Parkinson's disease (PD) progression in study participants with manifest PD, prodromal PD, and healthy controls

Who can take part?

  • • Ages 30 Years and over
  • • Diagnosed with parkinson disease

Where?

  • • London - Queen Mary University of London
  • • Newcastle upon Tyne - Newcastle University
  • • London - Imperial College London
  • • Oxford - John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford and Oxford University

This is a simplified summary. Always discuss with your doctor before making any decisions.

About This Trial

The Parkinson Progression Marker Initiative (PPMI) is a longitudinal, observational, multi-center natural history study to assess progression of clinical features, digital outcomes, and imaging, biologic and genetic markers of Parkinson's disease (PD) progression in study participants with manifest PD, prodromal PD, and healthy controls. The overall goal of PPMI is to identify markers of disease progression for use in clinical trials of therapies to reduce progression of PD disability.

More detail

PPMI is a broad program, expanding the goals of the original PPMI study, that includes this PPMI Clinical protocol, as well as other program initiatives such as the PPMI Remote, PPMI Digital App and PPMI Online protocols. Participants in PPMI may be asked to be enrolled in other PPMI program protocols, but depending on their method of recruitment, participants may be enrolled sequentially in varying order, as appropriate. PPMI participants may also be asked to participate in additional PPMI program initiatives (as they are developed), which may only involve a subset of PPMI participants based on their cohort designation and/or site location.

Parkinson Disease

How this trial compares with your answers

Answer 2 more questions to improve match

What we know so far

Condition· Matched your search
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Still need:

  • • Tell us your age for better matching
  • • Tell us your sex for better matching

Preliminary match based on your answers. Full eligibility requires on-site assessment including medical history, physical exam, and lab tests. This does not guarantee enrolment.

Eligibility at a Glance

Key info

  • Age: 30 Years and over
  • Who can join: All genders

Biomarkers mentioned

has a negative

Treatment history

Treatments you must have had:

  • ✓ re-assessment of eligibility criteria listed below for enrollment in PPMI Clinical
  • ✓ PD medication within at least 6 months from Baseline
  • ✓ re-assessment of eligibility criteria listed below for enrollment in PPMI clinical

What the study is looking for

  • ✓1.1 Inclusion Criteria (HC)
  • ✓Male or female age 57 years or older at Screening visit.
  • ✓Confirmation that participant is eligible based on Screening SPECT imaging.
  • ✓Able to provide agreement to take part.
  • ✓Either is male, or is female and meets additional criteria below, as applicable:
See the full criteria
7.1 Healthy Controls (HC) Note: Active Healthy controls previously enrolled in PPMI do not require re-assessment of eligibility criteria listed below for enrollment in PPMI Clinical. Active participants do need to be able to provide informed consent for PPMI Clinical participation (includes use of a designated research proxy). 7.1.1 Inclusion Criteria (HC) 1. Male or female age 57 years or older at Screening visit. 2. Individuals taking any of the following drugs: alpha methyldopa, methylphenidate, amphetamine derivatives or modafinil, must be willing and medically able to hold the medication for at least 5 half-lives before SPECT imaging. 3. Confirmation that participant is eligible based on Screening SPECT imaging. 4. Able to provide informed consent. 5. Either is male, or is female and meets additional criteria below, as applicable: * Female of childbearing potential who is not pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy during the study and has a negative pregnancy test on day of Screening SPECT imaging test prior to injection of DaTscanTM. 7.1.2 Exclusion Criteria (HC) 1. First degree relative with PD (i.e., biologic parent, sibling, child). 2. Current or active clinically significant neurological disorder (in the opinion of the Investigator). 3. Previously obtained MRI scan with evidence of clinically significant neurological disorder (in the opinion of the Investigator). 4. Received any of the following drugs: dopamine receptor blockers (neuroleptics), metoclopramide and reserpine within 6 months of Screening visit. 5. Current treatment with anticoagulants (e.g., coumadin, heparin, oral thrombin inhibitors) that might preclude safe completion of the lumbar puncture. 6. Condition that precludes the safe performance of routine lumbar puncture, such as prohibitive lumbar spinal disease, bleeding diathesis, or clinically significant coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia. 7. Any other medical or psychiatric condition or lab abnormality, which in the opinion of the investigator might preclude participation. 8. Any other reason that, in the opinion of the investigator, would render the participant unsuitable for study enrollment. 7.2 Parkinson's Disease (PD) Note: Active PD participants previously enrolled in PPMI do not require re-assessment of eligibility criteria listed below for enrollment in PPMI Clinical. Active participants do need to be able to provide informed consent for PPMI Clinical participation (includes use of a designated research proxy). 7.2.1 Inclusion Criteria (PD) 1. Male or female age 30 years or older at Screening Visit. 2. A diagnosis of Parkinson's disease for 2 years or less at Screening Visit. 3. Not expected to require PD medication within at least 6 months from Baseline. 4. Patients must have at least two of the following: resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity (must have either resting tremor or bradykinesia); OR either asymmetric resting tremor or asymmetric bradykinesia. 5. Hoehn and Yahr stage I or II at Baseline. 6. Individuals taking any of the following drugs: alpha methyldopa, methylphenidate, amphetamine derivatives or modafinil, must be willing and medically able to hold the medication for at least 5 half-lives before SPECT imaging. 7. Confirmation that participant is eligible based on Screening SPECT imaging. 8. Able to provide informed consent. 9. Either is male, or is female and meets additional criteria below, as applicable: * Female of childbearing potential who is not pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy during the study and has a negative pregnancy test on day of Screening SPECT imaging test prior to injection of DaTscanTM. 7.2.2 Exclusion Criteria (PD) 1. Currently taking levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, amantadine or another PD medication, except for low-dose treatment of restless leg syndrome (with permission of medical monitor). 2. Has taken levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors or amantadine within 60 days of Baseline visit. 3. Has taken levodopa or dopamine agonists prior to Baseline visit for more than a total of 90 days. 4. Atypical PD syndromes due to either drugs (e.g., metoclopramide, flunarizine, neuroleptics) or metabolic disorders (e.g., Wilson's disease), encephalitis, or degenerative diseases (e.g., progressive supranuclear palsy). 5. A clinical diagnosis of dementia as determined by the investigator. 6. Previously obtained MRI scan with evidence of clinically significant neurological disorder (in the opinion of the Investigator). 7. Received any of the following drugs: dopamine receptor blockers (neuroleptics), metoclopramide and reserpine within 6 months of Screening visit. 8. Current treatment with anticoagulants (e.g., coumadin, heparin, oral thrombin inhibitors) that might preclude safe completion of the lumbar puncture. 9. Condition that precludes the safe performance of routine lumbar puncture, such as prohibitive lumbar spinal disease, bleeding diathesis, or clinically significant coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia. 10. Any other medical or psychiatric condition or lab abnormality, which in the opinion of the investigator might preclude participation. 11. Any other reason that, in the opinion of the investigator, would render the participant unsuitable for study enrollment. 7.3 Parkinson's Disease (PD) with LRRK2 or GBA variant Note: Active PD participants previously enrolled in PPMI do not require re-assessment of eligibility criteria listed below for enrollment in PPMI Clinical. Active participants do need to be able to provide informed consent for PPMI Clinical participation (includes use of a designated research proxy). 7.3.1 Inclusion Criteria (PD ¬- LRRK2 or GBA) 1. Male or female age 30 years or older at Screening Visit. 2. A diagnosis of Parkinson's disease for 2 years or less at Screening Visit. 3. Patients must have at least two of the following: resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity (must have either resting tremor or bradykinesia); OR either asymmetric resting tremor or asymmetric bradykinesia. 4. Hoehn and Yahr stage I or II at Baseline. 5. Confirmation of causative LRRK2 or GBA (willingness to undergo genetic testing as part of genetic screening and be informed of genetic testing results, or approved documentation of prior genetic testing results). 6. Individuals taking any of the following drugs: alpha methyldopa, methylphenidate, amphetamine derivatives or modafinil, must be willing and medically able to hold the medication for at least 5 half-lives before SPECT imaging. 7. Confirmation that participant is eligible based on Screening SPECT imaging. 8. Able to provide informed consent. 9. Either is male, or is female and meets additional criteria below, as applicable: * Female of childbearing potential who is not pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy during the study and has a negative pregnancy test on day of Screening SPECT imaging test prior to injection of DaTscanTM. 7.3.2 Exclusion Criteria (PD - LRRK2 or GBA) 1. Received any of the following drugs: dopamine receptor blockers (neuroleptics), metoclopramide and reserpine within 6 months of Screening visit. 2. Current treatment with anticoagulants (e.g., coumadin, heparin) that might preclude safe completion of the lumbar puncture. 3. Condition that precludes the safe performance of routine lumbar puncture, such as prohibitive lumbar spinal disease, bleeding diathesis, or clinically significant coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia. 4. Any other medical or psychiatric condition or lab abnormality, which in the opinion of the investigator might preclude participation. 5. Any other reason that, in the opinion of the investigator, would render the participant unsuitable for study enrollment. 7.4 Parkinson's Disease (PD) with SNCA or rare genetic variant Note: Active PD participants previously enrolled in PPMI do not require re-assessment of eligibility criteria listed below for enrollment in PPMI clinical. Active participants do need to be able to provide informed consent for PPMI Clinical participation (includes use of a designated research proxy). 7.4.1 Inclusion Criteria (PD - SNCA or rare genetic variant (such as Parkin or Pink1)) 1. Male or female age 30 years or older at Screening Visit. 2. Parkinson's disease diagnosis at Screening Visit. 3. Patients must have at least two of the following: resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity (must have either resting tremor or bradykinesia); OR either asymmetric resting tremor or asymmetric bradykinesia. 4. Hoehn and Yahr stage I, II, or III at Baseline. 5. Confirmation of causative SNCA or rare genetic variant (such as Parkin or Pink1) (willingness to undergo genetic testing as part of genetic screening and be informed of genetic testing results, or approved documentation of prior genetic testing results). 6. Individuals taking any of the following drugs: alpha methyldopa, methylphenidate, amphetamine derivatives or modafinil, must be willing and medically able to hold the medication for at least 5 half-lives before SPECT imaging. 7. Confirmation that participant is eligible based on Screening SPECT imaging. 8. Able to provide informed consent. 9. Either is male, or is female and meets additional criteria below, as applicable: * Female of childbearing potential who is not pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy during the study and has a negative pregnancy test on day of Screening SPECT imaging test prior to injection of DaTscanTM. 7.4.2 Exclusion Criteria (PD - SNCA or rare genetic variant (such as Parkin or Pink1)) 1. Received any of the following drugs: dopamine receptor blockers (neuroleptics), metoclopramide and reserpine within 6 months of Screening visit. 2. Current treatment with anticoagulants (e.g., coumadin, heparin) that might preclude safe completion of the lumbar puncture. 3. Condition that precludes the safe performance of routine lumbar puncture, such as prohibitive lumbar spinal disease, bleeding diathesis, or clinically significant coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia. 4. Any other medical or psychiatric condition or lab abnormality, which in the opinion of the investigator might preclude participation. 5. Any other reason that, in the opinion of the investigator, would render the participant unsuitable for study enrollment. 7.5 Prodromal Note: Active Prodromal participants previously enrolled in PPMI do not require re-assessment of eligibility criteria listed below for enrollment in PPMI Clinical. Active participants do need to be able to provide informed consent for PPMI Clinical participation (includes use of a designated research proxy). The specific predictive eligibility criteria for participants recruited through PPMI Remote to advance to PPMI Clinical will be iteratively optimized based on data collected from these studies. 7.5.1 Inclusion criteria (Prodromal) For Screening: 1. Confirmation that participant is eligible based on centrally determined predictive criteria including the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). * For participants in PPMI Remote, referral to the clinical site confirms predictive eligibility. * For participants identified by the clinical site, predictive criteria are based on generalized risk such as first degree biologic relative, known risk of PD including RBD, or known genetic variants associated with PD risk. Additionally, confirmation of UPSIT eligibility during the Screening visit prior to SPECT Imaging. 2. Male or female age 60 years or older (except age 30 years or older for SNCA, or rare genetic variants (such as Parkin or Pink1) participants). 3. Individuals taking any of the following drugs: alpha methyldopa, methylphenidate, amphetamine derivatives or modafinil, must be willing and medically able to hold the medication for at least 5 half-lives before SPECT imaging. 4. Able to provide informed consent. 5. Either is male, or is female and meets additional criteria below, as applicable: • Female of childbearing potential who is not pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy during the study and has a negative pregnancy test on day of Screening SPECT imaging test prior to injection of DaTscanTM. For continuation to Baseline visit and ongoing follow-up: 6. Confirmation that participant is eligible based on \*Screening SPECT imaging. * Screening SPECT Imaging eligibility: Based on the results of the SPECT imaging test, Prodromal participants eligible to continue their participation in PPMI Clinical will be asked to return for their PPMI Clinical baseline visit. Neither the participant nor the site investigator will be made aware of the participant's DAT status during the study. * It is anticipated that approximately 6,000 participants will complete a screening visit to undergo DAT imaging. Approximately 2,000 participants will be eligible to continue their participation in PPMI Clinical (those not eligible to proceed will remain in PPMI Remote, as applicable). * All participants with DAT deficit will be eligible to continue their participation in PPMI Clinical. It is estimated that about 75% of eligible participants will have a DAT deficit (defined by a hybrid of visual assessment and quantitative striatal specific binding analysis). * Some participants without DAT deficit will also be eligible to continue their participation in PPMI Clinical. These participants will be chosen based on DAT binding that is reduced from age expected but it not outside the normal range and/or from individuals with high-risk of PD including RBD, LRRK2, GBA, SNCA, or rare genetic variants (such as Parkin or Pink1) that do not demonstrate DAT deficit. It is estimated that about 25% of eligible participants will not have a DAT deficit. * It is anticipated that approximately 30% of the PPMI Clinical prodromal participants with DAT deficit will phenoconvert to motor parkinsonism during a 3 to 5-year follow-up. 7.5.2 Exclusion Criteria (Prodromal) 1. Clinical diagnosis of PD at screening, other parkinsonism, or dementia. 2. Received any of the following drugs: dopamine receptor blockers (neuroleptics), metoclopramide and reserpine within 6 months of Baseline Visit. 3. Current treatment with anticoagulants (e.g. coumadin, heparin) that might preclude safe completion of the lumbar puncture. 4. Condition that precludes the safe performance of routine lumbar puncture, such as prohibitive lumbar spinal disease, bleeding diathesis, or clinically significant coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia. 5. Any other medical or psychiatric condition or lab abnormality, which in the opinion of the investigator might preclude participation. 6. Currently taking levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, amantadine or another PD medication, except for low-dose treatment of restless leg syndrome (with permission of medical monitor). 7. Has taken levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors or amantadine within 60 days of Baseline visit. except for low-dose treatment of restless leg syndrome (with permission of medical monitor). 8. Any other reason that, in the opinion of the investigator, would render the participant unsuitable for study enrollment.

Where Is This Study? (4 UK sites)

Queen Mary University of London

London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Alastair NoycePrincipal Investigator

Newcastle University

Newcastle upon Tyne NE45PL, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Nicola PavesePrincipal Investigator

Imperial College London

London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Yen Tai, MDPrincipal Investigator
Aldazier Jakirana.jakiran@nhs.net

John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford and Oxford University

Oxford Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Site contact (verified)
Michele HuPrincipal Investigator

How to Get in Touch

Cari Rainville, BS

Sponsor contact

CONTACT

877-525-7764 crainville@indd.org
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov · Last verified: 2025-10