Who We Are

PPMI is a collaboration of researchers, funders and study participants working toward the goal of identifying progression biomarkers to improve PD therapeutics.

Study Cores

Principal Investigator

Ken Marek, MD, Principal Investiator, Distinguished Scientist, Institute of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Study Cores

Analytics Core

The Analytics Core leverages a multi-disciplinary approach to quantitatively explore, evaluate, and predict disease trajectory, risk factors, and subtypes.

Bioinformatics and Data Repository Core

The Bioinformatics Core has designed and will maintain the PPMI study database. This Core is also responsible for the programming of the study website.

Biorepository Core

The PPMI Biorepository will receive, store and distribute biospecimens collected throughout the course of the study.

Data Management Core

The Data Management Core is responsible for the management and quality control of the clinical data.

Genetics Core

The Genetics Core will analyze DNA collected from study subjects.

Imaging Core

The Imaging Core will receive, aggregate and perform quality control on all imaging data in the study. This Core will also perform preliminary analyses of imaging data, as directed by the Executive Steering Committee.

Pathology Core

The Pathology Core helps to coordinate and plan all aspects of brain tissue donation for PPMI volunteers. After collection, a neuropathological analysis of the collected tissue is performed and a summary of this evaluation is shared with the donor’s family. Data from this analysis is also added to the PPMI biospecimen dataset and samples can be distributed to approved investigators for further research.

Project Management Core

The Project Management Core is responsible for global project management, including oversight of the PPMI study cores and vendors. The PMC will interact with these teams, as well as Sponsor and researchers to collaborate on a variety of initiatives under the PPMI Program, in addition to the main PPMI Clinical study.

Screening Core

The Screening Core will administer remote (at-home) assessments to individuals both with and without Parkinson’s disease (PD). Data from these remote assessments will be combined across thousands of participants and analyzed to further understand PD risk and help predict disease. These assessments may also lead to invitations to enroll in PPMI at clinical sites.

Site Management Core

Site Management Core is responsible for global site management. The SMC will interact as the primary liaison between PPMI Clinical sites and study leadership, Global Project Management, PPMI study cores and vendors.

Statistics Core

The Statistics Core will lead the statistical analyses that will be performed on the PPMI data and samples.

Travel Core

Travel Core works with participants, the travel vendor and the clinical site teams to coordinate travel of centrally recruited participants to PPMI clinical sites, and manage all out of pocket expenses related to that travel.

To communicate with a Principal Investigator at one of the Study Cores, contact us.

Sponsoring Organization

PPMI is sponsored by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which is coordinating all study activities and working closely with the Principal Investigator and Study Cores.