# New Diagnostic and Staging Framework Applied to Established PD in the BioFIND Cohort

## TL;DR

Researchers tested a new staging system for Parkinson's disease in a group of patients with more advanced PD to evaluate its effectiveness.

## Contribution

The study applies and evaluates the NSD-ISS framework in a moderately advanced PD cohort for the first time.

## Key findings

- Disease durations varied widely within each NSD-ISS stage.
- Cognitive and non-motor features played a minor role in determining staging.
- The analysis reveals both strengths and limitations of the NSD-ISS system.

## Abstract

The proposed Neuronal α-Synuclein Disease Integrated Staging System (NSD-ISS) was recently applied to early Parkinson’s disease (PD) cohorts. We applied this research framework to the BioFIND study cohort, which includes more moderately advanced PD participants with clinically established PD. Disease durations within each ISS stage were highly variable. Cognitive and non-motor anchors had little weight in determining staging. The analysis highlights strengths and limitations of NSD-ISS to guide further refinement of an integrated staging system.