Outcome Assessment in Parkinson Disease Prevention Trials Utility of Clinical and Digital Measures

Background and Objectives The prodromal phase of Parkinson disease (PD) is accompanied by subtle clinical signs that are not sufficient for diagnosis but could potentially be measured in the context of clinical trials of therapies intended to delay or prevent more definitive clinical features. The objective of this study was to review the available literature on the presence and time course of subtle motor features in prodromal PD in the context of planning for possible clinical trials. Methods We reviewed the available literature based on expert opinion. We considered a range of outcomes including measurement of clinical features, patient-reported outcomes, digital markers, and clinical diagnosis. Results We considered these features and measures in the context of patient stratification, intermediate outcomes, and clinically relevant end points, including phenoconversion. Discussion Substantial progress has been made in understanding how motor features evolve in the period immediately before a PD diagnosis. Digital measures hold substantial progress for measurement precision and may be additionally relevant because they can be used in naturalistic environments outside the clinic. Future studies should focus on advancing digital sensor technology and analysis and developing methods to implement available methods, particularly determination of a clinical diagnosis of PD, in a clinical trial context.

Automated summary

This study reviewed the available literature on the subtle motor features in the prodromal phase of Parkinson's disease (PD) and aimed to provide insights for possible clinical trials. The findings revealed significant progress in understanding the evolution of motor features before PD diagnosis. Digital measures hold promise for improving measurement precision and can be used outside the clinic in naturalistic environments. Future research should focus on advancing digital sensor technology and analysis, as well as developing methods for clinical diagnosis of PD in a clinical trial context.