MJFF sponsored a study in 2009 to collect blood and CSF in control volunteers to understand the variability of PD biomarkers, such as alpha-synuclein and DJ-1. That study recruited 13 controls (non PD patients) who underwent collection of CSF and serum/plasma at 11 time points within a 26 hour period. The same series of collections was repeated 2 weeks later. The study determined that there was a change in promising biomarker leads over the course of 24 hours, which suggests that the time at which CSF samples are collected in clinical trials could affect the standardization of a study and usefulness of the specimens. This kind of qualification research is crucial to inform the optimal study design in research, especially when comparison between subjects is a primary objective.

The same study is now being repeated in Parkinson’s patients (thanks again to those initial study participants who weren't part of the PD community) to determine whether the same changes in proteins over the course of a day holds true. MJFF is funding a Clinical Research Organization (CRO) called California Clinical Trials to recruit 12 PD patients and 6 age- and gender-matched controls to participate. Participants will be hospitalized for 3 nights.

The study requires lumbar catheterization for 26 hours, which will be followed by a day of rest and monitoring. The outcomes of this study will most immediately be used to inform MJFF’s large-scale biomarkers effort, The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). The goal is to ensure that the samples being collected are as standardized as possible, making them comparable between control and PD subjects, as well as comparable at different time points in the same subjects.

If you are interested in learning more about this study, call 1-888-CC-TRIAL or see the attached flyer. MJFF will also be hosting a call to introduce this trial and others going on in the LA area on Thursday, September 8th from 12:00pm - 1:00pm PST. Email Mod Rao at mrao@michaeljfox.org or 212.509.0995 ext. 296 to get more information.