Like all Parkinson’s organisations, one of our main goals is to support the global search for better treatments and a cure, and one way the Parkinson’s community can help to achieve this is by taking part in research, or clinical trials.
This can range from filling in questionnaires to trialling novel drug compounds – but a lack of information about research (including where to find it!) means people are often reluctant to take part.
Below is some information and resources to help you and your family make an informed choice:
Who can take part in research?
Everyone can! It just depends on who the researchers at the time are looking for. Many researcher trials need people who have not been diagnosed with Parkinson’s to understand the difference between people with and without the condition. Whatever anyone can give in terms of time and support with research will help make steps towards finding the answers linked to a cure.
What kinds of research could I take part in?
There are a range of activities, all of which will make a difference, such as:
- Online questionnaires and surveys
- A phone or virtual interview with a research professional
- Having your movements measured to help understand physical changes in Parkinson’s
- Giving blood, saliva and other samples to help with understanding the genetic picture of Parkinson’s
- Being given new treatments or therapies that may help to stop, improve or reverse the symptoms linked to Parkinson’s
How to find the right research for you
The first thing you should do is discuss taking part with your doctor or neurologist. They’ll be able to give advice on the advantages and disadvantages of taking part, and they may also be able to refer you to trials or research centres in your area.
Once you’ve discussed taking part in clinical trials with your doctor, you can also use the following online tools to find the right one for you:
Parkinson’s Europe Engagement Network
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Where to find Parkinson’s research happening in your country
Here’s a list of some of the best places to look for Parkinson’s clinical trials. If you have new places to add to this list, please email [email protected]
All of Europe
Global
WHO International Clinical Trials registry platform
Antidote and IQVIA’s clinical trial finder tool
France
France Parkinson – clinical trial interactive map
Netherlands
Parkinsonism Vereniging – Calls for research
Spain
The Spanish Clinical Studies Registry
UK
Parkinson’s UK – Take Part Hub
National Institute of Health and Care Research
Further resources
The Michael J Fox Foundation and Federación Española de Párkinson have produced the following guides to Parkinson's research in a range of languages:
English: Navigating Clinical Trials Français: Les essais cliniques Deutsch: Orientierung in klinischen Studien Italiano: Esplorando le sperimentazioni cliniche Espagnol: Observatorio Párkinson