The Norwegian ParkWest study
The Norwegian ParkWest study is a prospective longitudinal multicenter cohort study of patients with incident Parkinson’s disease (PD) from Western and Southern Norway.
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Between November 1st 2004 and 31st of August 2006 we sought to recruit all new cases of Parkinson Disease within the study area, and since the start of the study we have followed 212 of 265 (80 %) of these patients and their age-/sex-matched control group.
Patients and controls have been followed regularly since inclusion. The study has given important information on occurrence of PD and on symptoms that are most important for reduced quality of life. An important issue in the study has been to find markers for progression of the disease and to identify risk factors for more serious symptom development. All cases have been exome sequenced (genetic characterized) to find genetic risk factor on PD and on PD progression. By 2016 20 of the patients have been autopsied and we are working on factors that may identify why some of us develop PD.
The Park West study has so far resulted in more than 50 international publications.