Clinical Trials and Research Opportunities

The APDA Massachusetts Chapter and Information and Referral Center is pleased to maintain this area for your convenient access to basic information on research studies on-going at various movement disorder centers. Although the APDA has not individually reviewed or specifically endorsed each study posted here, each has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at its respective medical center. For further information on any study posted here, please utilize the specific contact information provided with the description of the actual study in which you are interested. As always, consult your physician to discuss the individual benefits and risks of each study prior to participating.

To increase your awareness of ongoing research and clinical trials visit www.pdtrials.org or www.clinicaltrials.gov or www.pdpipeline.org

To submit trial information please correspond with Cathi Thomas RN, MS at information@apdama.org

 

A. Coenzyme Q10 Research Study for Parkinson's Disease Patients

There is a clinical study of the research medication Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in persons 30 years of age or older who have early stage Parkinson’s disease. The purpose of this research study is to find out whether CoQ can slow the progression of early Parkinson's Disease.

 

B. Inosine Research Study in Parkinson's Disease

A Parkinson's Disease Drug Study

C. STEADY PD (Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy Assessment of Dynacirc® CR for PD)

Isradipine CR is a medication that is approved for the treatment of high blood pressure by the Food and Drug Administration Agency (FDA), but not for the treatment of PD. Isradipine CR has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect in preclinical models of parkinsonism (poster Simuni, et al).

This study is being conducted under a research grant award from the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) and the Dixon Foundation.

D. Evaluating New Levodopa-Carbidopa Delivery System in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease


This study will evaluate a new method of delivering the medications levodopa and carbidopa.  These medications will be administered continuously (16 hours per day) as an intestinal gel with a portable pump through a PEG-J tube.  You may be eligible for this study if you have advanced Parkinson’s disease, and you experience “on” and “off” periods despite optimal treatment with available medications.  

E. A Study Unveiling the Natural History of Quality of Life and Mobility Changes in People with Parkinson's Disease

You are invited to participate in a research study at Boston University / Boston
University Medical Center in which changes in quality of life, mobility and exercise habits will be investigated in persons with Parkinson’s disease. Your participation will help health care professionals learn about how quality of life, mobility and exercise habits change over the course of the disease.

F. Sleep and Ramelteon - A clinical trial conducted in the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Neurology

This study is designed to determine the effects of 4 weeks of Ramelteon treatment on the sleep patterns of people with HD, PD, and DLB. The study also aims to look at the sleep patterns of caregivers of people with HD, PD, and DLB.

CLICK HERE for the brochure.

G. Participants needed for study on the health of caregivers to relatives with Parkinson’s Disease and other related movement disorders

If you are providing care for a relative with Parkinson’s Disease or an other related movement disorder and you are 60 years or older, you may be eligible to participate in a study on how caregiving affects your health. 

H. Research Study Evaluating an Individuals Risk of Developing Parkinson's Disease (PARS)

Parkinson's Associated Risk Factor Study (PARS)

I. Seeking Parkinson's Disease Patients for Research on Therapy with Brain Stimulation

1) Click Here for information on a study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) or at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital on therapy with brain stimulation.

2) Click Here for more information on a second study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on therapy with brain stimulation.

 

J. Parkinson's Research Study of Motor Fluctuations

Researchers at BU are developing a new means of measuring the uncontrolled movements that may fluctuate during On-Off periods. Completely non-invasive (no blood draws, drug trials, etc).

K. Research Study on Parkinson’s Disease

Volunteers wanted for a research study that evaluates the effects of Parkinson’s disease on patterns of muscle activity.

L. UMass Research on Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Needs Participants

Studies are designed to investigate learning and movement in individuals with cerebellar ataxias, Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. We look at simple finger and arm movements in response to various visual cues.

M. Volunteers Needed for MIT Parkinson's Disease Project

Our research focuses on changes in the brain and thought processes that occur in Parkinson's disease.

N. Do your Parkinson’s symptoms fluctuate?

We are recruiting subjects for a study to help develop wearable sensors to monitor motor fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease.

O. PD Genetic Study

The GenePD study is a NIH NINDS multi-center study of the genetics of Parkinson's disease, aimed at trying to identify genes that may increase the risk for developing PD.