The center is now recruiting for the global observational clinical study aimed at detecting biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease progression
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Las Vegas: Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is participating in the expansion of the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) study with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF).
The landmark observational study is composed of researchers, funders, and study participants working toward the goal of identifying progression biomarkers – or disease indicators – to improve Parkinson’s disease therapeutics, prevention and prognosis. Joining Cleveland Clinic’s main campus in Ohio as part of the global PPMI network, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas is the first and only study site in Nevada.
“Disease-modifying therapies that can actually slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease are desperately needed, and the PPMI study is an important step in helping us achieve this goal. By identifying indicators of disease progression, we’ll be able to better predict disability and, ultimately, slow or prevent it,” said Zoltan Mari, M.D., FAAN, director of the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Program at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the PPMI site principal investigator. “To be selected as a study site is a milestone achievement not only for our center, but for the broader Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders community in Nevada.”
Launched in 2010, PPMI has developed the most robust Parkinson’s disease data set and biosample library in the world toward acceleration of better treatments, cures and even prevention of the disease. In 2021, PPMI launched a major expansion to activate more sites and enroll vastly more participants. Now, PPMI marches forward in that expansion and so far has enrolled 1,600 participants with a goal of reaching 4,000 through year-end 2023.
As part of the latest cohort to be added to the recently expanded PPMI, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health will collect clinical and imaging data, as well as biological samples primarily from people recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who are not yet taking medication.
“When the Foundation started in 2000, we set out to change the game on how Parkinson’s research gets done,” said Michael J. Fox as the study launched its expansion in 2021. “Two decades later, I’m proud that we have continued to meet this challenge and have become more than just a research organization, but a space where patients bring their wisdom and energy. PPMI’s expansion is about getting this done, curing Parkinson’s, boiling down to a biomarker that we can identify early on and prevent the disease from ever impacting another family.”
The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is currently enrolling men and women age 30 or older who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease for no more than two years, or have not yet been formally diagnosed, but are experiencing one or more symptoms (e.g., tremor, slowness, stiffness) and are not currently taking medication.
Those that participate will undergo comprehensive evaluation for a minimum of five years, including clinical and imaging assessments as well as the donation of biosamples. Additionally, participants will also be asked to respond to targeted questionnaires and provide digital data as part of the online part of PPMI and PPMI mobile app.
For more information about PPMI, visitClevelandClinic.org/NevadaResearch or call 702-701-7944.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 67,554 employees worldwide are more than 4,520 salaried physicians and researchers, and 17,000 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,026-bed health system that includes a 165-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 19 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient facilities, and locations in southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2019, there were 9.8 million total outpatient visits, 309,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 255,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which opened in 2009, provides expert diagnosis and treatment for individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body, frontotemporal and other dementias; Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, multiple system atrophy and other movement disorders; and multiple sclerosis. With locations in Cleveland, Ohio; Weston, Florida and headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada, the center offers a continuum of care with no-cost opportunities for the community to participate in education and research, including disease prevention studies and clinical trials of promising new medications. An integrated entity, Keep Memory Alive, raises funds exclusively in support of the Nevada location. Clevelandclinic.org/Nevada.
