Parkinson's Disease Clinical Trials in the UK (2026)
26 May 202611 min readTrialConnect Research Team
Approximately 153,000 people live with Parkinson's disease in the UK, with one in 37 people diagnosed in their lifetime. While levodopa remains the gold standard for symptom management, a new generation of clinical trials is targeting the disease itself — aiming to slow, halt, or even reverse neurodegeneration. Here is what is actively recruiting in the UK right now.
The UK is a world leader in Parkinson's research, driven by centres of excellence in London, Oxford, Cardiff, Newcastle, and Plymouth. The NIHR provides dedicated infrastructure for neurodegeneration trials, and organisations like Parkinson's UK actively fund and support clinical research.
Currently, there are over 120 actively recruiting Parkinson's trials in the UK, ranging from Phase 1 safety studies to Phase 3 confirmatory trials. The field is undergoing a paradigm shift — from purely symptomatic treatment to disease modification, biomarker development, and precision medicine approaches based on genetic subtypes.
Types of Parkinson's Trials
Disease-Modifying Therapies
Treatments targeting alpha-synuclein, LRRK2, GBA, and other pathways to slow or stop disease progression. These are the most anticipated trials in the field.
Gene Therapy
Direct delivery of therapeutic genes to the brain using viral vectors, aiming to restore dopamine production or protect remaining neurons.
Device-Based Trials
Deep brain stimulation (DBS), focused ultrasound, and wearable monitoring technologies for both motor and non-motor symptoms.
Symptom Management
New formulations of levodopa, apomorphine delivery systems, COMT inhibitors, and treatments for non-motor symptoms like psychosis and falls.
Disease-Modifying Therapies
The holy grail of Parkinson's research is a treatment that slows or stops disease progression. Several promising approaches are in UK trials:
Anti-alpha-synuclein immunotherapy — monoclonal antibodies (prasinezumab, cinpanemab) designed to clear toxic alpha-synuclein aggregates from the brain. Several Phase 2 and 3 trials are active.
LRRK2 kinase inhibitors — targeting the most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's. BIIB122 and DNL151 are in advanced trials for both LRRK2-mutation carriers and sporadic Parkinson's.
GBA-targeted therapies — for patients with GBA gene mutations (approximately 5–10% of Parkinson's cases), trials of ambroxol and substrate reduction therapies aim to restore lysosomal function.
GLP-1 receptor agonists — repurposing diabetes drugs (exenatide, lixisenatide, and newer agents) for neuroprotection, with growing evidence of disease-modifying potential.
c-Abl inhibitors — targeting neuroinflammation pathways, with nilotinib and newer agents in Phase 2 trials.
The PASADENA trial (prasinezumab) and the ambroxol trials are particularly significant for UK patients, with multiple recruitment sites across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Gene Therapy and Genetic Targets
Gene therapy for Parkinson's has progressed from concept to clinical reality. UK trials include:
AADC gene therapy — delivering the aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase gene to the striatum via adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, enhancing the brain's ability to convert levodopa to dopamine
GDNF and neurturin delivery — neurotrophic factors delivered directly to the brain to protect and potentially regenerate dopaminergic neurons
CRISPR-based approaches — early-phase trials exploring gene editing to correct pathogenic variants in LRRK2 and GBA
Genetic testing is increasingly being used to stratify patients for these trials. If you have had genetic testing through the NHS or a research programme, you may be eligible for genotype-specific trials.
Deep Brain Stimulation and Devices
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been used for Parkinson's for over two decades, but new trials are refining and expanding its application:
Adaptive DBS — next-generation devices that adjust stimulation in real-time based on brain signal recording, rather than fixed settings
Directional leads — newer electrode designs that allow more precise targeting with fewer side effects
MRI-guided focused ultrasound — a non-invasive alternative to DBS for tremor-dominant Parkinson's, currently in trials at several UK centres
Wearable monitoring — smartwatch and sensor-based systems that continuously track motor symptoms, medication response, and fall risk
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London and the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford are leading UK centres for DBS trials.
Symptom Management Trials
Beyond disease modification, significant research focuses on improving day-to-day symptom control:
Continuous levodopa delivery — subcutaneous and intestinal gel formulations that provide steady dopamine levels, reducing motor fluctuations
Apomorphine innovations — new delivery systems for this potent dopamine agonist, including on-demand pens and continuous pumps
COMT inhibitors — opicapone and newer agents that extend levodopa's effect, reducing "off" time
Adenosine A2A antagonists — istradefylline and similar drugs that enhance motor function without worsening dyskinesia
Non-Motor Symptom Research
Non-motor symptoms — including cognitive decline, psychosis, sleep disorders, constipation, and pain — are often more disabling than motor symptoms. Active UK trials target:
Psychosis — pimavanserin and novel antipsychotics specifically for Parkinson's disease psychosis without worsening motor symptoms
Cognitive decline — cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor modulators, and cognitive training programmes
REM sleep behaviour disorder — recognised as a prodromal marker of Parkinson's, with prevention trials now recruiting
Orthostatic hypotension — droxidopa and other agents for cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction
Who Can Participate?
Eligibility varies by trial, but common criteria for UK Parkinson's trials include:
A confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease by a neurologist
Disease duration requirements — some early-stage trials require diagnosis within 2–5 years; others accept any duration
Specific genetic markers — LRRK2, GBA, or other mutations for genotype-specific trials
Motor symptom severity — often measured by UPDRS scores during "on" and "off" states
Current medication profile — some trials require stable levodopa dosing; others wash-out periods
Age requirements — most trials accept adults 18–80, with some exclusions for advanced age
Willingness to attend regular visits at a UK research centre, including potential brain imaging
Factors that may exclude you include: significant cognitive impairment (for some trials), prior brain surgery, active cancer, or unstable medical conditions.
💡 Tip: Genetic Testing Opens More Doors
An increasing number of Parkinson's trials are genotype-specific. If you have not had genetic testing, ask your neurologist about the NHS Genomic Medicine Service or research programmes like the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2). Knowing your LRRK2 and GBA status can unlock access to targeted clinical trials.
UK Parkinson's Trial Locations
Major UK centres actively running Parkinson's trials include:
London — National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital, Imperial College
Oxford — John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre
Cardiff — University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre
Newcastle — Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle University Clinical Ageing Research Unit
Plymouth — Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
Edinburgh — Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic
Bristol — Southmead Hospital, Bristol Brain Centre
Manchester — Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences
How to Find Your Match
The fastest way to find Parkinson's trials you may qualify for is to use our Smart Matcher tool. Answer questions about your diagnosis, genetic status, symptom profile, and treatment history to see the most relevant actively recruiting trials.