International Parkinson’s study to explore risk prediction of neurodegenerative diseases

The National Center of Excellence in Research on Parkinson’s Disease in Luxembourg has launched an online survey in collaboration with regional research centers to improve risk prediction for neurodegenerative diseases.

According to a University of Luxembourg press release, the joint effort with centers in Germany, Austria and Spain will lead to the creation of a European hub for risk screening of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases, enabling clinical assessments and early detection for those at high risk.

The study, titled “Healthy Ageing,” is supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation in New York and marks the Luxembourg center’s first initiative with the foundation.

According to the release, the online survey will investigate methods for risk prediction and identify people at risk for developing PD. Individuals in Luxembourg and surrounding areas aged 50 to 80 years who have not been diagnosed with PD or dementia are invited to participate in a detailed questionnaire that covers a range of topics, including demographics, occupation, lifestyle and medical history.

“We hope to ascertain the influence of different potential risk factors and that these will help us make progress in early diagnosis and more targeted treatments,” National Center of Excellence in Research on Parkinson’s Disease Coordinator Rejko Krüger, MD, said in the release.

“We are very thankful to the people who dedicate their time to this important research,” he said. “The information they provide is crucial to learn more about neurodegenerative diseases and to develop novel prevention strategies that are urgently needed.”