The purpose of this study is to investigate genetic and environmental risk factors that increase susceptibility to the development of early-onset Parkinson's disease (developed at or before age 50).

Condition
Parkinson's Disease

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  800

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common, neurodegenerative condition. Although mostly a late-onset disorder, 10 percent of people with PD are reported to develop symptoms before the age of 50. To date, six genes have been found to be associated with PD, however the majority have been found in rare PD 'families'. Some studies have also identified a number of environmental risk factors, such as pesticide use, that appear to increase the risk of PD.

In a previous study, Dr. Karen Marder and her research team found that close family members of people with both early- and late-onset PD have a three-fold increased risk of PD compared to close family members of people without PD.

The purpose of the Consortium On Risk for Early-onset Parkinson's Disease (CORE PD) study is to identify the genetic factors that contribute to the development of early-onset Parkinson's disease, and to understand how these genetic factors interact with other genes and the environment to cause PD.

Participation in the study involves a blood draw (to look for genetic factors associated with PD), questionnaires collecting information on family and medical history, and a neurological examination. In addition participants may be contacted in the future and asked to participate in a more detailed interview. At that time, study investigators will also ask participants for permission to contact family members to invite them to participate in the study.

This research study requires participants to sign a consent form, which states that the research is voluntary and confidential. In addition, since this is a research study, genetic results are not released to participants or their family members now or in the future.

Scientists hope this multi-center study will increase the current knowledge of PD and that the identification of factors that cause PD will lead to better diagnosis and treatment.

Ages Eligible for Study:  18 Years and above,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any person with Parkinson's disease in the United States whose symptoms began at age 50 or younger and was diagnosed by a neurologist.

Helen Mejia-Santana, M.S.      877-305-2438    research@corepdstudy.org

California
      The Parkinson's Institute, Sunnyvale,  California,  94089,  United States; Recruiting
Connecticut
      The Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, New Haven,  Connecticut,  06510,  United States; Recruiting
Illinois
      Rush University Medical Center, Chicago,  Illinois,  60612,  United States; Recruiting
Minnesota
      Struthers Parkinson's Center, Golden Valley,  Minnesota,  55426,  United States; Not yet recruiting
New York
      Columbia University, New York,  New York,  10032,  United States; Recruiting
      Beth Israel Medical Center, New York,  New York,  10003,  United States; Recruiting
North Carolina
      Duke University, Durham,  North Carolina,  27707,  United States; Not yet recruiting
Pennsylvania
      University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  19104,  United States; Recruiting
Wisconsin
      Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield,  Wisconsin,  54449,  United States; Recruiting

Study chairs or principal investigators

Karen Marder, M.D., M.PH.,  Principal Investigator,  Columbia University   

Study ID Numbers:  R01NS036630
Record last reviewed:  March 2005
Last Updated:  March 1, 2005
Record first received:  March 1, 2005
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00104585
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08