Parkinson's Precision Medicine Initiative
Parkinson's Precision Medicine Initiative
Parkinson's Precision Medicine Initiative
The Study that's Changing Everything
The Study that's Changing Everything
The Study that's Changing Everything
People with and without Parkinson's are helping better understand, treat, and one day prevent brain disease. PPMI offers different ways to get involved: fill out questions online, complete tests through the mail or at a medical center. Find your first step then get started in the myPPMI platform.
How People Get Involved
Smell Test
Genetic Screen
In-Clinic Study
Online Surveys
Add-On Studies
Smell Test
Loss of smell can be an early signal of Parkinson's risk. Not everyone with Parkinson’s loses their sense of smell, though. PPMI offers a simple scratch-and-sniff kit mailed directly to participants. It takes about 10 minutes to complete, and participants can get their results in myPPMI. This data can help learn more about disease risk and sub-types.
WHO TAKES PART
People aged 30+ with Parkinson's diagnosed in the last 7 years
People aged 40+ without Parkinson's
WHAT'S INVOLVED FOR ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS
Receive a 40-item scratch-and-sniff kit by mail
Complete at home and enter answers online
View Results on myPPMI
How People Get Involved
Smell Test
Loss of smell can be an early signal of Parkinson's risk. Not everyone with Parkinson’s loses their sense of smell, though. PPMI offers a simple scratch-and-sniff kit mailed directly to you. It takes about 10 minutes to complete, and you can get your result in myPPMI. This data can help learn more about disease risk and sub-types.
LEARN MORE
Genetic Screen
Some people carry genetic variants that contribute to Parkinson's. Certain variants, such as in the LRRK2 and/or GBA gene, may make someone eligible for other parts of PPMI or trials testing new therapies. PPMI screens for common variants on these genes and provides results and counseling.
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In-Clinic Study
Some people visit one of 50 clinical sites around the world to share more with PPMI. Brain scans, blood and spinal fluid sampling, and detailed tests build a more complete picture of disease. This information helps develop new tests and tools that will help transform care and assess new treatments.
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Online Surveys
Complete surveys on health and disease over time through the myPPMI portal. This data can show trends that can help understand risk and change over time.
LEARN MORE
Add-On Studies
PPMI may offer additional sub-studies to answer a certain question or test a new tool. These additional studies may have varied, distinct eligibility criteria. They could ask participants to complete another survey, use a smartwatch, or go in for another brain scan, for example.
LEARN MORE
How People Get Involved
Smell Test
Loss of smell can be an early signal of Parkinson's risk. Not everyone with Parkinson’s loses their sense of smell, though. PPMI offers a simple scratch-and-sniff kit mailed directly to participants. It takes about 10 minutes to complete, and participants can get their results in myPPMI. This data can help learn more about disease risk and sub-types.
WHO TAKES PART
People aged 30+ with Parkinson's diagnosed in the last 7 years
People aged 40+ without Parkinson's
WHAT'S INVOLVED FOR ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS
Receive a 40-item scratch-and-sniff kit by mail
Complete at home and enter answers online
View Results on myPPMI
Genetic Screen
Some people carry genetic variants that contribute to Parkinson's. Certain variants, such as in the LRRK2 and/or GBA gene, may make someone eligible for other parts of PPMI or trials testing new therapies. PPMI screens for common variants on these genes and provides results and counseling.
WHO TAKES PART
People with Parkinson’s who have:
Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
A first-degree family member with Parkinson's
Had genetic testing
WHAT'S INVOLVED FOR ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS
Receive a saliva collection kit by mail
Complete and return the kit by mail
Receive counseling and results for LRRK2 G2019S and GBA N320S variants
In-Clinic Study
Some people visit one of 50 clinical sites around the world to share more with PPMI. Brain scans, blood and spinal fluid sampling, and detailed tests build a more complete picture of disease. This information helps develop new tests and tools that will help transform care and assess new treatments.
WHO TAKES PART
People with Parkinson’s and a LRRK2 variant
People with Parkinson's diagnosed within 7 years and without smell loss
People without Parkinson's and smell loss and positive alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay
WHAT'S INVOLVED FOR ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS
Complete smell test (and genetic screen if eligible)
If eligible, visit site for additional screening
If eligible, enroll for in-person visits
Online Surveys
Complete surveys on health and disease over time through the myPPMI portal. This data can show trends that can help understand risk and change over time.
WHO TAKES PART
Anyone aged 18+ (with or without Parkinson's)
WHAT'S INVOLVED FOR ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS
Fill out brief surveys about medical history, lifestyle and symptoms every 90 days
Add-On Studies
PPMI may offer additional sub-studies to answer a certain question or test a new tool. These additional studies may have varied, distinct eligibility criteria. They could ask participants to complete another survey, use a smartwatch, or go in for another brain scan, for example.
WHO TAKES PART
Each add-on study can have its own eligibility criteria.
WHAT'S INVOLVED FOR ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS
A PPMI team member may invite you or you may see something new on your myPPMI dashboard.
Each study will share what's involved and have its own consent.
What Is PPMI?
What Is PPMI?
The Michael J. Fox Foundation launched PPMI as the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative in 2010. In 2026 it announced a new name — the Parkinson's Precision Medicine Initiative — to capture momentum toward precision medicine: the right care for the right person at the right time.
PPMI is a partnership. Medical centers, scientists, private and philanthropic funding partners all support PPMI. What makes the study truly possible is its volunteers. More than 50,000 people with and without Parkinson’s disease have joined the study.
Participants share information in different ways: online, through the mail, at a medical center. All that information (kept private and secure) helps researchers better understand, measure and treat the disease. PPMI data has led to new tests for Parkinson’s and helped show impact of new treatments.
PPMI does not test a drug or other treatment itself. Study data can help design trials and show who may be eligible.
myPPMI is a home base for your participation in PPMI. Sign up today.
What Is PPMI?
The Michael J. Fox Foundation launched PPMI as the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative in 2010. In 2026 it announced a new name — the Parkinson's Precision Medicine Initiative — to capture momentum toward precision medicine: the right care for the right person at the right time.
LEARN MORE
50
50
Clinical sites across the globe
Clinical sites across the globe
1,700+
Scientific publications using PPMI data
1,700+
1,700+
Scientific publications using PPMI data
Scientific publications using PPMI data
40+
40+
Clinical trials informed by PPMI research
Clinical trials informed by PPMI research
30M+
30M+
Data downloads by researchers worldwide
Data downloads by researchers worldwide
"Knowledge is power. If I could help in any way to understand this disease, it will help others in the future."
"Knowledge is power. If I could help in any way to understand this disease, it will help others in the future."
—Susan, PPMI Participant
RESEARCH UPDATES
PPMI Data is Pushing Science Forward
PPMI Data is Pushing Science Forward
PPMI Data is Pushing Science Forward
Ready to make a difference?
Join myPPMI.
Have a question before you join? Contact us at support@myppmi.org. .
Ready to make a difference?
Join myPPMI.
Have a question before you join? Contact us at support@myppmi.org. .
Ready to make a difference?
Join myPPMI.
Have a question before you join? Contact us at support@myppmi.org. .