YEAR ONE OF THE NEW BIOMARKER
THE MICHAEL J . FOX FOUNDATION 2024 YEAR IN REVIEW
A Biological Framework for Defining Parkinson ’ s
On the heels of the validation of aSyn-SAA , MJFF is spearheading a global research and patient coalition working to develop a new research framework for biologically defining and staging Parkinson ’ s . The first version of this evolving framework defines PD for the first time through its biological hallmarks — the presence of dysfunctional alpha-synuclein and depletion of dopamine neurons .
The coalition includes MJFF , leading academic and industry researchers , the National Institutes of Health and U . S . Food and Drug Administration , patient-centered nonprofit organizations and members of the patient and family community . The framework was shared widely with the research , clinical and patient communities for review and comment . Critical feedback from regulators including the FDA also helped shape its development .
Borrowing from the Alzheimer ’ s Playbook : Using a Biologic Definition of Disease to Advance Parkinson ’ s Research
Twenty years ago , the landmark Alzheimer ’ s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative ( ADNI ) — sponsored by the National Institute on Aging — laid the groundwork for discovery of Alzheimer ’ s biomarkers , including amyloid protein . A staging system came next , followed swiftly by amyloid-targeted treatments . Parkinson ’ s is following this same accelerated trajectory .
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