Understanding Research

This area of research focuses on therapies that may slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

How do Disease-Modifying Therapies work

In Parkinson’s, changes in the brain affect how some brain cells work and survive. Through disease-modifying therapies, researchers are targeting these changes to improve overall brain health.

Why do Disease-Modifying Therapies matter

• Disease-modifying therapies look beyond treating symptoms

• If this area of research is successful, it may lead to an approved therapy that slows or stops the progression of Parkinson’s and lessen Parkinson’s impact on daily life

This area of research explores how genes, lifestyle, environment and medical history may help guide more personalized treatments.

How precision medicine works

Precision medicine focuses on three main areas to understand what makes each person unique to guide treatments:

1. Biolgoical cues like genes, proteins and other measurable signs called biomarkers that explain why Parkinson’s affects each person differently.

2. Symptom tracking over time which helps researchers understand how each person responds to treatment

3. New therapies that consider biomarkers and symptoms to better match each person’s Parkinson’s disease.

Why precision medicine matters

• It may help explain why treatments work well for some and not others

• Could help guide treatment choices and remove side effects

• Over time, may lead to treatments that target what is driving Parkinson’s, not just symptoms.

This research looks at ways to protect or repair brain cells using targeted genetic approaches.

How gene-based therapies work

Researchers are studying two main gene-based treatment approaches.

1. Gene therapy which often involves using surgery to add a healthy gene to brain cells to help them function better.

2. Gene targeted drugs that are designed for people with specific gene changes and act on the problems those changes cause in the brain.

Why gene-based therapies matter

• Gene based research may lead to treatments that protect or repair brain cells

• It could help slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s, not just treat symptoms

• Over time, gene based research may help the broader Parkinson’s community, not just those with gene changes.

This research explores whether replacing or supporting brain cells, including those involved in dopamine, may help improve symptoms and quality of life. These are also called stem cell therapies.

How cell-based therapies work

Cell therapy research (also called stem cell therapy research) focuses on three main steps to see whether replacing dopamine-producing cells could help treat Parkinson’s:

1. Transforming stem cells into dopamine-producing brain cells

2. Placing these new, transformed cells, into the brain during surgery

3. Seeing if these implanted cells can survive, make dopamine and connect with other brain cells.

Why cell-based therapies matter

• Explores a new approach beyond dopamine-replacement medications

• May keep dopamine levels more consistent, with less “off” time

• Could reduce reliance on medication and related side effects.

These studies test new treatments, therapies, devices or care approaches in people. They help researchers learn whether these approaches are safe and how well they work. Clinical trials play an important role in developing new treatment options.

Preclinical Research
New treatments are first studied in cells and animals before they are tested in clinical trials. These studies look for possible benefits and safety concerns and help researchers decide if testing in people should begin.

Learn more about clinical trials.

Researchers observe or collect information, often about people’s health and experiences, without changing a person’s care. Participants may complete surveys, take part in interviews, provide biological samples (such as saliva or blood) or allow researchers to review health records.

These studies help researchers learn about the underlying nature of PD, its symptoms and their impact on quality of life. 

These studies look for measurable signs of Parkinson’s in the body, such as changes in blood, spinal fluid or other biological samples. These markers may help with earlier diagnosis and tracking disease progression.

Genes are parts of your DNA that carry instructions for how your body works and are passed down in families. Genetic research studies how genes may be linked to diseases.

Research initiatives like PD GENEration: Powered by the Parkinson’s Foundation help people learn about their genetic connection to Parkinson’s while contributing data to research. Learn more about PD GENEration.

These studies use brain scans, which are pictures of the brain taken with special machines. They help researchers understand how Parkinson’s develops and progresses.

These studies look at patterns in large groups of people. They help researchers understand who is affected by Parkinson’s and which factors may influence risk or how it changes over time, including lifestyle, diet, environmental factors (such as air or chemicals) and measurable signs in the body (called biomarkers).