# Mapping the developmental path for Parkinson’s disease therapeutics

## TL;DR

This paper summarizes a workshop aimed at addressing the gap between Parkinson's disease research and therapeutic development.

## Contribution

The paper provides insights and strategies from stakeholder discussions to accelerate PD therapeutics development.

## Key findings

- Workshop participants emphasized PD heterogeneity and the need for better target validation.
- Development of tools and biomarkers was identified as critical for advancing therapeutics.
- Comparisons with other neurodegenerative diseases highlighted shared and unique challenges.

## Abstract

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) held an open workshop on April 23 and 24, 2024 to evaluate the gap between the current understanding of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and the development of therapeutics for treating PD. Representatives from key stakeholder groups discussed strategies for leveraging research to bridge this gap. Sessions focused on PD heterogeneity, target validation, development of tools and resources to facilitate therapeutics development, biomarker discovery and use, similarities and differences with PD-adjacent neurodegenerative diseases, and best practices for accelerating the therapeutics development process. Here are some of the main takeaways from the workshop.