Unified Parkinson’s Disease
Rating Scale (UPDRS)
The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating
Scale (UPDRS) is a rating scale that
includes clinical examinations of motor
symptoms, as well as questionnaires
about daily activities, non-motor
symptoms and medication complications.
Parts of or the entire scale often are used
to evaluate response to interventions in
Parkinson’s clinical trials.
U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
An agency within the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, the FDA
ensures that human drugs, biological
products, medical devices, the food
supply, cosmetics and other products are
safe and efficacious for consumers.
Virtual study
Studies conducted online or through
other digital modalities (e.g.,
smartphone, telephone, etc.). Virtual
studies complement traditional research
by allowing participants who might
otherwise not be able to participate in
traditional clinical trials (e.g., those with
transportation or mobility issues) the
opportunity to engage in research. These
studies also are valuable in providing
data outside of the “snapshot” of a face-
to-face study visit.
Wearable
A device that can be worn (e.g., watch,
fitness tracker) to capture health-related
information, such as movement, sleep or
heart rate. Wearable data complements
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