Get the latest public health information from CDC: https://www.coronavirus.gov
Get the latest research information from NIH: https://www.nih.gov/coronavirus
NIH staff guidance on coronavirus (NIH Only)
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive movement disorder that affects the lives of at least one-half million patients across the United States. Currently available pharmacological and surgical treatments provide relief for some motor symptoms, but do not halt the ultimate progression of the disease. To inform ongoing and future efforts in PD research, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) organized the “Parkinson’s Disease 2014: Advancing Research, Improving Lives” ("PD2014") conference, which took place on January 6-7, 2014. This meeting, the culmination of an iterative process of research recommendation development, was open to the public, and provided an opportunity for neuroscience researchers, physicians, public and private stakeholders, and members of the public to discuss the significant challenges and identify the highest priorities for advancing basic, translational and clinical research on PD.
The final research recommendations that emerged from this meeting were presented to and approved by the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NANDS) Council on January 30, 2014. An overview for the general public is also available.
New research discoveries and technological advances are rapidly changing the way we study Parkinson's Disease (PD), including our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms involved, identification of pathways to improved treatments, and reconceptualization of clinical trial design. Elucidating the mechanisms responsible for PD and developing and testing effective interventions requires a diverse set of approaches and perspectives spanning clinical, translational, and basic research. The primary goal of the "PD2014" conference was to build consensus on priorities in PD research designed to identify and leverage emergent research opportunities for PD at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
To maximize efficiency and ensure that the meeting resulted in dynamic recommendations that will catalyze advances in PD research, NINDS staff worked closely with a dedicated group of session chairs and panelists to develop preliminary recommendations, which then formed the basis for the discussions at this meeting. Panelists' efforts were informed by a Request for Information (RFI) that solicited broad community input on scientific opportunities and outstanding needs for research and treatment of PD. The independent panels were divided into three topic areas: clinical, translational, and basic research. Working groups from each topic area presented their prioritized research recommendations for consideration and discussion. The meeting was structured so that each of the discussions informed the others, and organizers and participants looked for complementary and unique perspectives. Special attention was given to recommendations that emerged from multiple working groups.
The conference used five complementary approaches to gather input and revise the final recommendations.
The meeting also served to foster the continued conversation with partner organizations working towards the common goal of finding causes, improved treatments, and, one day, a cure, for PD. Because the role of the environment in PD deserves additional attention, it will be the focus of a collaborative NIEHS-NINDS workshop in late 2014. In preparation for the workshop, NIEHS and NINDS issued a request for information (responses due October 14, 2014) soliciting input on research to address environmental risks for PD. The dynamic recommendations that result from the NINDS PD2014 and collaborative NIEHS-NINDS conferences will help catalyze the advances in Parkinson’s research at the NIH and beyond.
Final Research Recommendations
NINDS Vision and Strategy
Meeting Materials
PD2014 Program Book
PD2014 Panel Members
Presentation Materials
Clinical Research Panel (PDF, 4MB)
Translational Research Panel (PDF, 4 MB)
Basic Research Panel (PDF, 4MB)
PD2014 Council Report
Related Publications:
Prioritized research recommendations from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Parkinson's Disease 2014 conference.
Sieber BA, Landis S, Koroshetz W, Bateman R, Siderowf A, Galpern WR, Dunlop J, Finkbeiner S, Sutherland M, Wang H, Lee VM, Orr HT, Gwinn K, Ludwig K, Taylor A, Torborg C, Montine TJ; Parkinson's Disease 2014: Advancing Research, Improving Lives Conference Organizing Committee.
Ann Neurol. 2014 Oct;76(4):469-72. doi: 10.1002/ana.24261. Epub 2014 Sep 23.
Day 1 (January 6): http://videocast.nih.gov/summary.asp?live=13331
Day 2 (January 7): http://videocast.nih.gov/summary.asp?live=13333
Beth-Anne Sieber, Ph.D.
Program Director, Neurodegeneration
sieberb@ninds.nih.gov