PD Frontline: identifying genes in people with Parkinson's
The aim of the research is to find a large number of people who have small genetic changes in genes such as LRRK2 or GBA, which are known to be associated with Parkinson's.
These people may be invited to take part in future clinical trials of drugs that target these genes, including the world-first phase 3 research study of ambroxol, ASPro-PD.
4,000 people diagnosed with Parkinson's who live in the UK.
The research team is currently prioritising people between the ages of 40 and 75 who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the last 7 years, to be screened to take part in the ASPro-PD research study.
Registering on the PD Frontline website where you will be asked to complete an online consent form and a 10 minute survey.
The study team will assess the information provided in the survey, and you will be sent a saliva sample collection kit if you're eligible to take part. This will be posted to you with pre-paid return packaging.
The saliva sample will be used to carry out genetic testing for genes that are associated with Parkinson's.
Once genetic testing is complete, the PD Frontline team will contact people who may be eligible for the ASPro-PD study, as well as other medical research studies, and let them know where to sign up to take part.
Find out more about the study on the PD Frontline website.
Please note, if you have already taken part in RAPSODI, you don't need to register for PD Frontline as they are linked research trials. Participants of both RAPSODI and PD Frontline will be offered the same research and clinical trial opportunities.
Interested in taking part?
Register for the study on the PD Frontline website.
If you have problems accessing the website or have any questions, please email the research team at [email protected].
The PD Frontline team check their inbox daily and aim to respond to all emails within a week of receiving them.
How long will it take for my saliva kit to arrive?
If you fulfil the preliminary eligibility criteria for the ASPro-PD trial (aged between 40 – 75 years old and diagnosed within the last 7 years), you will receive a saliva testing kit. This can take up to 5 weeks to arrive. You will be emailed when the kit has been sent.
When will the genetic testing of my sample be completed?
The timeline varies, but there have been significant delays due to high demand, staffing shortages, and the complexity of sequencing the GBA1 gene. The team is working as quickly as possible to return results and typically allows up to 1 year for sequencing.
The research team apologises in advance for the delay and will contact you once your results are ready.
The deadline for taking part in this research is 1 January 2026.
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