2nd LARGE-PD meeting organizes leaders toward tangible next steps

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While the First Annual LARGE-PD Meeting in Cali, Colombia, focused on establishing the foundation of the consortium and learning about each site’s capabilities, the second meeting in Lima marked a significant evolution. Discussions centered on presenting concrete research findings through a poster session, reviewing ongoing and future projects, and forming dedicated working groups that will enable more efficient collaboration in different aspects of PD. 

The meeting addressed key aspects of research on the genetics of PD in Latin America, including ancestry composition, protocol and IRB approvals, budget execution, recruitment strategies, applied questionnaires, sample management harmonization, return of genetic results to participants, and training opportunities. 

A crucial topic discussed during the meeting was the implementation and expansion of the PD GENEration program within the LARGE-PD consortium, in collaboration with the Parkinson’s Foundation. This initiative aims to provide CLIA-certified genetic testing for seven PD-related genes (LRRK2, GBA, SNCA, PRKN, PINK1, DJ-1, VPS35) at no cost to participants, ensuring that individuals receive their results through appropriate genetic counseling sessions to facilitate understanding and informed decision-making. 

In 2024, a pilot program was successfully conducted at selected LARGE-PD sites, yielding very promising results in terms of participant engagement, feasibility, and impact on clinical decision-making. The success of this pilot phase, with almost 700 participants recruited in less than 8 months, underscored the critical need for accessible genetic testing across Latin America, paving the way for a region-wide expansion of PD GENEration. Now, in 2025, the program is entering a new phase, with plans to expand across all LARGE-PD sites in Latin America. 

Another highlight was the working groups session, where researchers with shared interests collaborated on specific themes relevant to the consortium. The discussions from these sessions set the foundation for specialized research efforts moving forward. 

The meeting provided an ideal setting for dynamic discussions and meaningful collaborations. Thanks to the efforts of the organizing team at the Universidad Cientifica del Sur, the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas in Lima, Peru, and the support of the core LARGE-PD team at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, USA, the event strengthened the consortium’s collaborative network and established clear strategies for the future of LARGE-PD. Special thanks to GP2/ASAP, Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Parkinson's Foundation for their invaluable support, as well as the meeting faculty, researchers, attendees for dedicating their time to share experiences and advance the study of PD genetics in Latin America. 

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