Fox Investigation for New Discovery of Biomarkers

BioFIND is a two-year observational clinical study designed to discover and verify biomarkers of Parkinson's disease (PD). BioFIND is collecting clinical data and biospecimens, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), in a population of 120 well-defined, moderately advanced PD subjects and 120 healthy controls.

BioFIND will follow standardized data acquisition protocols to ensure that tests and assessments conducted at multiple sites can be pooled. Data and samples acquired from study participants will enable the development of a comprehensive Parkinson's database and biorepository, which will be available to the scientific community to conduct research on novel PD biomarkers.

Inclusion criteria

(PD Subjects):

• Subjects must have bradykinesia and rigidity.
• Current or history of well documented resting tremor.
• Unilateral onset or persistent asymmetry.
• A well established response to dopaminergic agents including the presence of levodopa induced dyskinesia for at least 3 years according to treating physician's judgment.
• Subject has progressive PD of 5 to 18 years of duration from the onset of symptoms.
• Male or female age of onset of PD 50 to 70 by history. Current ages would range from 55 to 93 based on #5 and #6 requirements.
• Ability to provide written informed consent in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), and local regulations.
• Willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, required study procedures and laboratory tests.

Exclusion criteria

(PD Subjects):

• Family history of PD in first degree relatives.
• Ashkenazi Jewish subject (defined as all 4 grandparents being Ashkenazi Jewish) will be excluded because of the high likelihood of genetic forms of PD (LRRK2) and GBA), unless these have been already excluded by genetic testing.
• Has others serious neurological disorders (clinically significant stroke, brain tumor, hydrocephalus, epilepsy, other neurodegenerative disorders, encephalitis, repeated head trauma).
• Has early severe autonomic involvement. Symptomatic orthostatic, hypotension or urinary incontinence within one year of onset of disease symptom.
• Current treatment with anticoagulants (e.g., Coumadin, heparin) that might preclude safe completion of the lumbar puncture.
• Condition that precludes the safe performance of routine lumbar puncture, such as prohibitive lumbar spinal disease, bleeding diathesis, or clinically significant coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia.
• Any other medical or psychiatric condition or lab abnormality, which in the opinion of the investigator might preclude participation.
• Use of investigational drugs or devices within 60 days prior to baseline (dietary supplements taken outside of a clinical trial are not exclusionary, e.g., coenzyme Q10).
• Has lower body predominant symptoms.
• Has supra-nuclear gaze palsy, CG sign, corticospinal track signs.

Inclusion criteria

(HC Subjects):

• Male or female age 55 to 93 years at visit 1.
• Ability to provide written informed consent in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), and local regulations.
• Willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, required study procedures and laboratory tests.

Exclusion criteria

(HC Subjects):

• Family history of PD in first degree relatives.
• Ashkenazi Jewish subject (defined as all 4 grandparents being Ashkenazi Jewish) will be excluded because of the high likelihood of genetic forms of PD (LRRK2) and GBA), unless these have been already excluded by genetic testing.
• Has other serious neurological disorders (clinically significant stroke, brain tumor, hydrocephalus, epilepsy, other neurodegenerative disorders, encephalitis, repeated head trauma).
• Has a history of cancer, autoimmune disorder, liver disease, or hematological disorders within the past 5 years.
• Has early severe autonomic involvement: symptomatic orthostatic hypotension or urinary incontinence within one year of onset of disease symptom.
• Current treatment with anticoagulants (e.g., Coumadin, heparin) that might preclude safe completion of the lumbar puncture.
• Condition that precludes the safe performance of routine lumbar puncture, such as prohibitive lumbar spinal disease, bleeding diathesis, or clinically significant coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia.
• Any other medical or psychiatric condition or lab abnormality, which in the opinion of the investigator might preclude participation.
• Use of investigational drugs or devices within 60 days prior to baseline (dietary supplements taken outside of a clinical trial are not exclusionary, e.g., coenzyme Q10).
• MoCA score <26.