MDS 2020 | The power of biomarkers: movement disorders

James Rowe, PhD, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, discusses biomarkers for movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Prof. Rowe outlines the importance of biomarkers not only to understand the disease but to increase the power of clinical trials as well. In this interview, recorded during an online conference call with The Video Journal of Neurology (VJNeurology), Prof. Rowe mentions the PROSPECT study. This research program uses MRI scanning, blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples, genetics, and clinical assessments to find ways of tracking PSP and CBD progression and improving diagnosis. Finally, Prof. Rowe emphasizes the need for collaborative research to compare biomarkers and possibly combine them.