Identification of Tear Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Sponsor:

Brief Summary:

The purpose of this study is to assess whether tear secretion in patients with Parkinson’s
disease will be altered to exhibit a characteristic or diagnostic biomarker profile, that
will be reflected in changes in the protein composition of tear fluid, which can be measured
relatively easily, cost-effectively, and non-invasively. Tear fluid samples will be collected
from Parkinson’s patients, and through biochemical assays, the profile of proteins in tears
will be characterized and compared to that from control subjects. The profiles will be
analyzed with respect to any differences between Parkinson’s patients and control subjects.
If differences appear, the levels of these potential biomarkers in Parkinson’s patients will
be compared to the severity of their disease.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

– established Parkinson’s Disease for at least 6 months

– Healthy controls without neurological illness

Exclusion Criteria:

– currently taking anti-cholinergic medication

– dementia

– have an exposure to neuroleptic medications other than Quetiapine or Clozapine in the
6 months prior to screening

– have an active eye infection or have had eye surgery within 3 months prior to
screening

– control subjects will be excluded if they have a history of neurological disease

– PD subjects will be excluded if they have an atypical Parkinsonian syndrome

Locations

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90033