Intervention
A potential therapy or treatment
that is tested in clinical trials. These
may include drugs, medical devices
or procedures, and they may be
investigational products or therapies that
are already available. (See: repurposing.)
Interventions also can also include non-
invasive approaches, such as exercise or
physical therapy.
Interventional trial
A type of trial in which participants
receive an intervention (e.g., drug or
surgical procedure) so that researchers
can evaluate the effects of the
intervention on certain symptoms or
other features associated with a disease.
See also: intervention
Longitudinal study
A study that follows participants over an
extended period of time, often years or
decades, and is generally observational in
nature. This type of study is particularly
useful for evaluating risk factors or
progression of a disease.
See also: observational study
LRRK2
The LRRK2 gene directs the production
of the LRRK2 protein kinase, an enzyme
that modifies the function of other
proteins. The LRRK2 gene is implicated
in one to two percent of all Parkinson’s
disease cases.
Lumbar puncture (LP)
A lumbar puncture (LP), or spinal tap,
is a procedure where a small needle is
inserted below the spinal cord between
the bones of the lower back to obtain a
small amount of spinal fluid for analysis.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI) scan
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
scan uses magnetic waves to create
detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
MRIs are especially useful for imaging
the brain, and give clues about structure
but not function. Some forms of MRI are
being looked at as possible biomarkers.
See also: biomarker
Multicenter trial
Observational studies
A clinical study in which participants’
health and other data is measured, but
volunteers do not receive an intervention
or drug.
See also: intervention
Open label
Clinical trials in which both investigators
and participants know which participants
have been assigned the intervention
or placebo.
A clinical trial performed at more than
one medical or research institution. See also: blinding
Neuroprotective treatment A test or examination used to measure
the effects of an intervention on certain
symptoms or other features associated
with a disease. Investigators decide on
the measures that they are interested
in evaluating before the trial or study
begins. Every interventional study has a
primary outcome measure, which is most
important for evaluating the effect of the
intervention. Studies also may include
secondary outcome measures, which are
not as important but are still of interest
in evaluating the effect.
A therapy that guards against death
or damage of the dopamine cells in
the brain that are at risk of being lost
in Parkinson’s disease (PD). There is
currently no approved neuroprotective
therapy for Parkinson’s, but research
in this area is ongoing. These types of
therapies could theoretically be used
in people with early signs of PD or even
those who are at risk.
Neuroregenerative treatment
A therapy that stimulates regrowth
of dopamine-producing cells in the
brain. There is currently no approved
neurorege nerative therapy for
Parkinson’s, but research in this area
is ongoing.
New Drug Application (NDA)
A new drug application (NDA) is a
formal request from a drug sponsor to
the U.S. FDA to ask for approval of a new
drug. Data from pre-clinical research and
all phases of human clinical trials are
submitted as part of the NDA.
See also: U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
Outcome measure
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs)
Data that is provided directly by
participants. Patient-reported outcomes
(PROs) complement traditional
measures used during in-person clinical
trial and study visits to give researchers a
more complete picture of disease.
Placebo
A substance or device that does
not contain active ingredients but is
made to look, feel and taste just like the
actual drug or therapy being studied
so that all participants have a similar
research experience.
See also: placebo-controlled
Glossary
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