Non motor symptoms of Parkinson’s in multi-racial ethnic group
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Non motor symptoms (NMS) of people with Parkinson's in black African/Caribbean and South Asian population in London: case control study and biomarkers and non motor subtypes evaluation: case control study and biomarkers and non motor subtypes evaluation
IRAS ID
147008
Contact name
K Ray-Chaudhuri
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Little is known about the range and nature of Parkinson’s within different ethnic minorities living in the UK although over three million subjects are living in the UK. Black African/Caribbean and South Asian subjects from bulk of ethnic minorities in South London and studies of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease as well as multiple sclerosis in these communities have provided important information in
relation to cause and migration in these disorders. We showed that compared to white people with Parkinson’s (PwP), non-white PwP were three times more likely not to respond to Levodopa treatment (the gold standard of treatment of Parkinson’s). Due to lack of founds this study was stopped in 2001. In the current study we wish to expand on our initial observation by defining this “atypical” pattern particularly in relation to non-motor symptoms (such as dribbling of saliva, pain, depression, sleep problems). We will examine whether these symptoms are noted in clinics and if not the impact on care delivery. We will complete clinical scales and memory testing, note
dietary habits and response to the drug Levodopa and compare these observations with disease patterns in white Caucasian subjects. Additionally, we will record details of dopaminergic scans of the brain (DatScan) and also in a subgroup collect blood sample for future genetic and enzyme analysis. This will be the first study of its kind ever attempted.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2117
Date of REC Opinion
26 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion