MJFF has funded atleast two researchers to study PD subtypes and disease progression. The subtypes defined in these studies are different from whats been discussed here. One of the abstracts is as follows: I hope some of the data from these studies can be reanalyzed for the features discussed here without having to do a new study. Any thoughts on how to do that?


Taken from MJFF Website http://www.michaeljfox.org/research_...s_3.cfm?ID=298
Defining PD Subtypes Based on Patterns of Long-term Outcome

PD Subtypes 2007

The purpose of our study is to identify Parkinson’s disease subtypes based on how individuals are doing approximately seven to eight years after diagnosis. Some patients have few symptoms at this time, while others may have problems with thinking and memory, balance, mood, motor fluctuations and dyskinesia, parkinsonism (slowness, stiffness, tremor), or autonomic function (blood pressure, urinary, and bowel function). We will analyze two long-term studies (DATATOP - Deprenyl and Tocopherol Antioxidant Therapy of Parkinsonism and CALM-PD - Comparison of the Agonist Pramipexole with Levodopa on Motor Complications of Parkinson’s Disease) and attempt to identify groups of patients with similar patterns of symptoms. We will then analyze characteristics of these patients when they were first diagnosed and treated to determine if we are able to predict their pattern of symptoms seven to eight years after diagnosis.

Early identification of patients who are anticipated to develop particular patterns of symptoms may allow selection of specific therapies that will improve long-term outcome and specific subtypes of patients may be selected for entry into clinical trials designed to evaluate therapies to forestall the development of that pattern of symptoms. In addition, identification of distinct PD subtypes may aid in delineating genetic and environmental causes of PD.

Researchers

Robert A. Hauser MD, MBA
University of South Florida
Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center

Michael P. McDermott, PhD
University of Rochester
University of Rochester