Fox Insight
Fox Insight is an online clinical study that collects day-to-day information about the lived experience
of Parkinson’s directly from patients. People with and without the disease can contribute to Fox Insight
by providing real-world information on symptoms, medication and other factors in quarterly online
questionnaires. This information could increase understanding of Parkinson’s, influence research and inform
drug development.
Fox Insight also offers opportunities to contribute additional data via supplemental surveys and sub-studies,
such as the Fox Insight Genetic Sub-study. This collaboration between The Michael J. Fox Foundation and
personal genetics company 23andMe allows people with Parkinson’s to expand the value of information
they contribute by pairing their Fox Insight data with their genetic profile. Participants are eligible for genetic
counseling on Parkinson’s risk genes at no cost. The combined dataset can provide scientists a more holistic
view of Parkinson’s to speed better treatments and a cure.
All data contributed through Fox Insight and its sub-studies are de-identified and made available to qualified
researchers to advance understandings of Parkinson’s disease.
Register for Fox Insight at foxinsight.org.
The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative
The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) is The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s landmark,
observational clinical study that launched in 2010 to find Parkinson’s biomarkers — disease indicators that
are critical missing links in the search for better Parkinson’s disease (PD) treatments. At PPMI’s 33 clinical
sites in 11 countries, more than 1,500 participants — people with and without PD, at risk for PD or with
genetic connections to PD — contribute invaluable data and biosamples (e.g., blood, spinal fluid) into the
most robust Parkinson’s database and specimen bank ever created.
As an observational study, PPMI does not test an intervention, such as a drug or treatment. Instead, PPMI
follows participants for at least five years to better understand biologic changes that occur over time. This
helps researchers understand the progression of Parkinson’s and potentially identify one or more biomarkers
of PD. PPMI is sponsored by MJFF and funded in partnership with 21 biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
Find out more about PPMI at michaeljfox.org/ppmi.
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