LITE (LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutic Exchange) is a research study looking at the biology of Parkinson’s disease. It includes people with PD or with genetic risk factors and control volunteers. LITE will explore why PD develops in some individuals and not others. This information could help lead to more personalized and effective treatments for PD. 

The LITE study is led by researchers at the University of Dundee and is supported by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. It is part of a global effort to accelerate the development of therapies targeting the LRRK2 pathway.  

The LITE study is led by Dr. Esther Sammler, a Parkinson’s disease researcher and clinician at the University of Dundee. LITE also works in collaboration with the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2), sharing data and aligning efforts to help researchers better understand the genetics of Parkinson’s disease. 

Genetic research helps us understand why Parkinson’s disease looks different from person to person. Some people may have a genetic change, like one in the LRRK2 gene, that affects how the disease starts, progresses or responds to treatment. 

By studying these differences, researchers can: 

• Discover new ways to treat Parkinson’s 
• Develop therapies that are more personalized 
• Include people who have been left out of research in the past 

LITE focuses on learning from individuals with and without LRRK2 changes to help build a future where Parkinson’s care is more personalized. 

LRRK2 is one of the most common genes linked to Parkinson’s disease. Some ethnic populations — Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish and North African Berber descent — are more likely to carry changes in the LRRK2 gene. Changes in this gene can increase the risk of PD, but not everyone with a change will develop Parkinson’s disease. 

Studying LRRK2 could help researchers:  

• Understand how Parkinson’s starts and changes 
• Identify biological clues that appear early 
• Explore treatments that target the root causes 

LITE includes people with and without LRRK2 changes to learn from a wide range of experiences and biology. 

A biomarker is a measurable sign of what’s happening in the body. An example of a biomarker is cholesterol level for heart disease. 

In Parkinson’s research, biomarkers help:  

• Detect the disease earlier 
• Track how it changes over time 
• Test how well treatments are working 

LITE is searching for biomarkers linked to LRRK2 and Parkinson’s to improve diagnosis and care. 

Parkinson’s affects people from all backgrounds, but many communities have been left out of research. LITE includes people from different racial, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds to help address that gap. 

Their goal is to identify knowledge gaps and explore new opportunities for Parkinson’s care. LITE also considers country-specific differences in genetic variants linked to PD. 

This helps researchers: 

• Understand PD across populations
• Make discoveries that benefit more people
• Support progress toward better care 

LITE asks you to complete one or more study visits. These visits may be one day or multiple days. The total time is about six hours. 

You may be asked to:  

• Have a genetic test (Learning results is your choice.)
• Have a physical and neurological exam 
• Answer questions about your health and family history 
• Share biological samples (spinal fluid, blood, skin, breath, urine) 
• Have brain imaging scans (MRI and DAT scan, if eligible) 
• Complete movement, smell and memory tests 

This study does not test a treatment. You will not be given a study drug. 

You will be compensated for your participation. Compensation depends on the type of visit and local guidelines. You may also be reimbursed for travel for you and a companion. 

The study team will walk you through what to expect and share more information on reimbursement. 

Taking part in any research study has some risks. It’s important to think about these before deciding to join. 

In LITE, you may be asked to give samples like blood or spinal fluid, complete memory and movement tests, or take part in brain scans. These procedures are safe but may cause brief discomfort, like soreness or bruising. The study team is here to support you and answer any questions along the way. 

There is also a small potential risk to your privacy. Read more below on our safety and privacy efforts or talk with the study team. 

Your samples will be handled with care and stored securely. They will be sent to a laboratory where scientists will study them to learn more about Parkinson’s disease and related biology. 

Any leftover samples will be stored at a biorepository — a special facility that keeps samples like blood, spinal fluid, or skin at safe temperatures. These samples may be used in future research to help answer new questions and build on potential discoveries made through LITE. 

Before anything is collected, you’ll go through a consent process. This process explains exactly how your samples and information may be used, now and in the future. 

Your safety and privacy are very important. The LITE study has measures in place to keep your samples and information secure. 

Any personal details you share — like your name or contact information — will be removed from your sample and health data. This means your sample and information are labeled with a unique code instead of your name. 

That code can only be linked back to you by approved study staff using secure systems. Your identifying information is stored separately and protected at your study site. 

While no system can guarantee zero risk, every effort is made to protect your privacy. If you have questions or concerns, the study team can talk through steps taken to keep you safe. 

No. There is no cost to you to join this study. All tests are paid for by the research team.  

Yes. You can leave the LITE study at any time, for any reason. Joining a research study is your choice.  

If you choose to withdraw, no new samples or data will be collected. However, any samples or information already collected before your withdrawal may still be used in research. 

The study team will explain this during the consent process and is available to answer any questions you may have.