Join The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s mission to find better treatments and ultimately a cure. Whether you have Parkinson’s disease (PD) or not, participating in research is one way to contribute to efforts to develop innovative treatments. In this research roundup blog, we share MJFF-funded and partnering studies that are actively recruiting volunteers. Some investigate ways to slow disease progression and test interventions. Some follow participants over time to learn more about disease. 

Learn more through the links on how to get involved in each study. Please spread the word of these studies to your networks!  

• Landmark Study Enrolling Anyone Aged 18+: MJFF’s landmark study, the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), is recruiting volunteers with and without PD. The study is exploring how brain disease starts and changes in people of all backgrounds. PPMI is open to anyone over age 18 — with and without Parkinson’s — in the U.S. Learn more and join the study that’s changing everything.  

Smell loss can be an early sign of Parkinson’s risk. PPMI is also offering free smell tests to anyone age 60 and up without Parkinson’s. Request a free scratch-and-sniff test today and contribute to important research at mysmelltest.org/mjff.   

• Treatment for Symptoms of Early-stage Parkinson's: The LUMA Studies are assessing a new drug to see if it can delay the progression of PD in recently diagnosed people. The drug may lower the activity of a protein in the body that may be responsible for different Parkinson's symptoms. These symptoms include tremor, gait problems, sleep difficulties and more. Biotech company Biogen is the study sponsor. The study is seeking volunteers with PD diagnosed within the last two years and between ages 30-80 years. Other eligibility criteria apply. Learn more and see if you pre-qualify.   

• Treatment Targeted at GBA-PD: A study is assessing a new drug, BIA 28-6156 (LTI-291), as a potential treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease who have a mutation in the GBA1 gene. This study is sponsored by pharmaceutical company Bial and is looking for volunteers between ages 35-80 who were diagnosed with PD at least one year ago but no longer than 7 years. It is specifically seeking individuals with a mutation in the GBA1 gene. Other eligibility criteria apply. The purpose of this study is to test the safety, tolerability and efficacy of the new drug. Read more and find a study center near you.   

• Clinical Research Study in Mild Cognitive Impairment associated with Parkinson’s Disease (MD-MCI): The PRECEDENT study is evaluating an investigational treatment for cognitive deficits such as memory and attention in Parkinson’s. This Phase II study is sponsored by Sage Therapeutics, Inc. and recruiting people aged 50 to 75 years who are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment related to idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Other eligibility criteria apply. The purpose of this study is to test the safety, tolerability and efficacy of an investigational oral drug, Sage-718 to treat mild cognitive impairment. SAGE-718 is an investigational drug and is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective for any use. There is no guarantee that Sage-718 will be approved by the FDA. Learn more and find a study center near you.