About Vet-PD

Vet-PD is a research study. It collects information on health, disease, and genes to learn more about Parkinson's disease. The study is led by Dr. Cyrus Zabetian and his research team at the VA Hospital in Seattle.

Vet-PD is enrolling volunteers at VA Hospitals around the U.S. The study is sharing data with the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2). GP2 is a research project working to transform understanding of Parkinson's genetics. That new information could lead to better care and treatments for all.

What are genes? 

Genes are like instructions that are passed down from parents to their children. They are found inside our cells and are made up of a substance called DNA. DNA is like code that carries all the information needed for our bodies to work properly. Some genes are responsible for determining our physical characteristics like eye color, height, etc. Others play a role in how our bodies work, including whether we are more likely to develop certain diseases. Small differences in the code of these genes make us different from one another. Each difference in the code is known as a "variant." 

Scientists have made important discoveries in genetic research on Parkinson's disease. These discoveries have helped us better understand the disease and develop new theories on how best to treat it. But those results have mostly come from studies with non-Veteran volunteers of European ancestry.

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Vet-PD aims to fill in research gaps.

Vet-PD aims to learn more about gene variants that increase the risk of getting Parkinson's disease. It will also look at how genes and environmental exposures interact to cause disease. 

Researchers believe that the knowledge gained from genetic research studies could eventually lead to better methods of diagnosing, monitoring, and treating PD. But these benefits might not apply equally to patients from all ancestry groups if the studies that led to them were done in groups of people with little diversity. 

In order to do this, Vet-PD will need to enroll a diverse group of patients with PD. 

Joining the Study 

Vet-PD needs people with Parkinson's disease who: 

  • Are a veteran (and are any race or ethnicity) OR
  • Describe their race as non-white OR
  • Describe their ethnicity as Hispanic/Latino
  • Are able to travel to a Vet-PD Enrollment VA Hospital for a one-hour research visit

Joining a research study is your choice. The study team will talk to you more about what it means to join Vet-PD.

 Study Details:

 At your Vet-PD study visit you will be asked to do the following things:

  •  Review a consent form with the study team
  • Attend a research visit at a Vet-PD Enrollment VA Hospital
  • Give approximately one hour of your time
  • Give a blood sample
  • Answer questions about your health and family history
  • Answer questions on your military history (if you are a Veteran)
  • You may also have a brief physical exam
  • You will not be given a study drug

Your Privacy

 Your privacy is very important. The study has put measures in place to safeguard the information you contribute. The study team can talk to you more about these measures and your privacy.

 Vet-PD and GP2 share their data with scientists to look for discoveries that could lead to new treatments. Those partners must agree to also protect your privacy.