Global dataset with huge number of participants unlocks new genetic clues, paving the way for better Parkinson’s treatments.
Researchers have reached a landmark achievement in Parkinson’s disease genetics, as more than 100,000 DNA samples from participants worldwide have now been genotyped and sequenced through the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2).
Managed by the Coalition for Aligning Science (CAS) and implemented in collaboration with The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), GP2 represents one of the largest and most globally representative datasets ever assembled for a neurodegenerative disease.
“This milestone is laying a critical foundation for the future of Parkinson’s research,” said Dr Sonya Dumanis, deputy director of Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP).
“GP2 is diversifying this dataset at an unprecedented speed, serving as a discovery engine for identifying new disease mechanisms and targets while ensuring discoveries reflect a more complete blueprint of the disease,” she added.
Crucially, more than 33,000 of the study participants come from populations historically underrepresented in genomic research. Past studies were largely focused on Northern European ancestry, leaving many populations underserved.
Including diverse participants allows GP2 to ensure that discoveries benefit patients worldwide and reveal disease mechanisms that might otherwise remain hidden.
“This milestone represents an important output of one of the largest and most collaborative genetic studies of Parkinson’s ever undertaken,” said Dr Brian Fiske, Chief Scientist at MJFF. “The unprecedented scale of GP2 and the resource it is creating is transformational.”
The dataset has already led to more than 50 new genetic risk factor discoveries. In 2023, GP2 investigators identified a variant in the GBA1 gene among individuals of African ancestry, revealing a previously unknown biological pathway and a potential target for precision therapies.
As the dataset grows, researchers expect to uncover 50+ additional risk variants, including ancestry-specific findings that could inform targeted treatments.
“Our global approach allows us to compare genetic differences across populations, reveal shared mechanisms of the disease, and accelerate the development of therapeutics,” said Dr Cornelis Blauwendraat, GP2 program lead.
In December 2025, GP2 announced its 11th data release. Researchers can access GP2’s massive genetic dataset through a cloud-based platform called AMP PDRD, which makes it easy to explore and analyze the information from anywhere. To make sure scientists can fully use this resource, GP2 provides over 100 training modules in multiple languages, helping researchers build the skills they need.
The release added over 20,800 additional genotyped participants, 17,153 new whole genome sequencing (WGS) participants, and 4,232 extra clinical exomes [1]. The dataset now totals:
- 103,786 genotyped participants (46,327 PD cases, 28,857 controls, 28,602 “other” phenotypes)
- 38,226 WGS participants (18,219 PD cases, 9,172 controls, 10,835 “other”)
- 14,686 clinical exomes
Of the 122,317 unique samples across all data types, nearly 33,000 individuals also have extended clinical information, giving scientists a richer context to study how genetics interacts with disease progression and patient outcomes.
Beyond data access, the program invests directly in local research infrastructure, mentors emerging scientific leaders and funds PhD fellowships – ensuring that discoveries are made in close collaboration with the communities contributing to the study.
The program currently collaborates with over 300 research groups in more than 70 countries, demonstrating a model for open, culturally relevant and sustainable science.
With a dataset of this magnitude, researchers now have the statistical power to uncover new genetic risk factors faster than ever. As discoveries expand to include diverse populations, GP2 promises to deepen our understanding of Parkinson’s disease biology and support the development of therapies that are globally relevant.
Photograph: Daenin/Envato
[1] https://gp2.org/the-components-of-gp2s-11th-data-release/
