Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) awarded a $513,109 Project Grant to the University of Pennsylvania (awarded July 15, 2026; completion date April 30, 2031) under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders program (CFDA 93.853). The award funds the development of novel statistical methodologies designed to optimize individualized treatment regimens for Parkinson's Disease by simultaneously addressing multiple therapeutic benefit and risk outcomes. The research will advance beyond existing single-timepoint approaches by creating data-driven "regimen-response curves" that accommodate the progressive nature of Parkinson's Disease, incorporate both continuous and time-to-event clinical endpoints, and provide valid statistical inference to guide clinician decision-making regarding treatment optimization.

This project addresses critical gaps in current treatment optimization methods by extending marginal structural models to handle multiple benefit-risk trade-offs in a time-adaptive framework. The statistical methods developed will enable clinicians to balance therapeutic benefits such as improved motor function against significant long-term risks including motor complications, while accounting for the heterogeneous symptoms and dynamic clinical priorities characteristic of real-world Parkinson's Disease management. The work will be conducted at the University of Pennsylvania's Philadelphia campus.