Innovative Strategies for Disease-Modifying Treatments and Clinical Trials in Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) remains the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, yet it continues to evade a definitive disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Despite extensive research over the past decades, no single clinical trial has succeeded in demonstrating a treatment capable of altering the disease's course. This ongoing challenge is linked to several complexities in PD, such as an incomplete comprehension of its pathophysiology, an elongated prodromal stage, the absence of validated biomarkers of progression, substantial clinical phenotype heterogeneity with considerable symptom variability, and high concurrence of co-pathology. These issues pose significant methodological obstacles for DMTs, including the design and duration of trials, correct patient stratification, therapeutic candidate selection, the development of valid, specific, and sensitive clinical outcome measures, and surrogate biomarkers.This Research Topic aims to enhance the understanding and prospective direction of clinical research in PD. It seeks contributions that encompass preclinical studies with the potential for translation to the clinic, early to late-phase clinical trials, and comprehensive evaluations of existing efforts in treatment and DMT. The primary goal is to pinpoint success factors, suggest practical strategies, and formulate actionable recommendations to guide future clinical trials involving DMT.To gather further insights promoting the development of DMTs for PD, we welcome submissions across a diverse range of manuscript types supported by the journal—including Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Perspectives, Protocols, Mini-Reviews, and more—exploring, but not limited to, the following themes:- Novel therapies targeting alpha-synuclein pathology, neuroinflammation, or mitochondrial dysfunction.- Biomarkers of disease progression and therapeutic response for Parkinson’s Disease.- Advances in gene therapy applications and precision medicine approaches.- Stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine for neural restoration.- Immunomodulatory strategies for disease modification.- Drug repurposing strategies for novel applications in PD.- Reviews of completed and ongoing treatment and DMT trials in PD.- Analytical perspectives, such as meta-analyses, pooled cohort studies, and discussions on new trial methodologies.- Study protocols and trial designs prepared for upcoming clinical inquiries.- Insights into trial feasibility and design optimization.- Preclinical research on candidate therapeutics, biomarkers, and novel outcome measures with clinical translation potential.- Basic and translational studies focusing on PD pathophysiology, pharmacokinetics, drug delivery systems, and safety profiling.- Research bridging preclinical and clinical stages.By drawing on interdisciplinary contributions and evidence-based evaluations, this Research Topic aspires to drive progress towards more effective and nucleated DMT clinical trials in PD.Articles accepted after peer review will be published and appear online as soon as approved for publication.Sign up now to participate in this exciting Research Topic. Topic editors: Mya C Schiess, Emilia Mabel Gatto Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75027/innovative-strategies-for-disease-modifying-treatments-and-clinical-trials-in-parkinsons-disease