Movement Disorders Research
University Hospitals Neurological Institute’s Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Center is using clinical research to quickly bring advances from the laboratory to the bedside.
Along with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, the center is working to refine current techniques and discover new treatments. Areas of investigation include:
- The establishment of the Case Western Reserve University Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative’s (CTSC) Parkinson’s disease phenotypic and genotypic registry to examine the genetic effects of the disease.
- Participation in the national BrainGate 2 study, which is examining the potential and ability of those suffering paralysis to control a computer cursor and other assistive devices with their thoughts.
- A Phase 4, open-label, efficacy and safety study of APOKYN® for rapid and reliable improvement of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.
- A National Institutes of Health-sponsored study examining functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigations of the effects of deep brain stimulation in dystonia.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigations of Parkinson’s disease and the brain network changes involved in changes in the handling and perception of other parts of the body for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Huntington's Disease Research Studies
- Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Study
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We are currently enrolling patients in a research study about biomarkers in Huntington’s disease. The purpose of the study is to identify small molecules that can be measured in the blood and spinal fluid in order to determine the stage and severity of Huntington’s disease and whether or not a person has Huntington’s disease. Your participation in the study would involve 3-4 visits over 18-19 months.
Parkinson's Disease Research Studies
- Parkinson's Disease Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies Study
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Parkinsonism can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages of the disease. This study is for participants between 40-89 years of age with with parkinsonism with or without memory and cognitive symptoms, including Parkinson’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and dementia with Lewy bodies.
- WATCH-PD Trial for patients with Parkinson's disease
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We are currently participating in the WATCH-PD trial (Wearable Assessments in the Clinic and Home in PD).
This is a study comparing objective, wearable sensors with subjective, clinical examinations of symptoms done by the physician in the office. Additionally, it is comparing the objective sensor information to the patient reports of how they are feeling. Participants will be in the study for approximately 1 year.
You may qualify for this study if:
- You have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease within the last two years
- You are not currently taking medication for your Parkinson’s disease symptoms
- IMPAX 3 trial for patients with Parkinson's Disease and motor fluctuations
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We are currently enrolling in the IMPAX 3 trial (“A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY TO COMPARE THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF IPX203 WITH IMMEDIATE-RELEASE CARBIDOPA-LEVODOPA IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE PATIENTS WITH MOTOR FLUCTUATIONS”). This is a study evaluating the safety and efficacy of IPX203 as compared to immediate release carbidopa-levodopa in patients with Parkinson’s disease who have motor fluctuations. The study will consist of a three-week open label carbidopa-levodopa dose adjustment period, a four-week open label period for conversion to IPX203, and then a 13-week double blind, randomized treatment period to one drug or the other. The study will enroll approximately 510 and randomize 420 subjects.
You may qualify for this study if:
- You are 40 years or older and diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
- You are on a stable regimen of carbidopa-levodopa and responding well to the treatment
- You have not had neurosurgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease
- Parkinson’s Disease Skin Biopsy Study
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We are currently enrolling in a clinical research study for patients with parkinsonism, including Parkinson’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Parkinsonism can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages of the disease. Skin biopsy could be a useful way to diagnose and measure the severity of these conditions. The purpose of the study is to identify changes on a skin punch biopsy, in which small pieces of skin are removed and sent to the laboratory for examination. Your participation will last between 1 and 2 years and will involve between 2 and 4 visits. Visits will include a physical exam, questionnaires, a memory test, a punch skin biopsy, and blood draw. We will also be looking to enroll volunteers to serve as “controls,” who do not have any neurological illness.
- You are 18-89 years old
- You have a diagnosis of any of the following: Parkinson’s Disease, multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy bodies, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, or no neurological condition (controls)
- You are not taking warfarin or other “anticoagulation” blood thinners
- Neuraly Trial for patients with Parkinson’s Disease
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We are currently enrolling in the Neuraly trial (Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of 36 Weeks of Treatment with NLY01 in Early-stage Parkinson’s Disease) for patients with Early-stage Parkinson ’s Disease. The purpose of the Neuraly study is to assess how well a 36-week treatment with the investigational drug called NLY01 impacts a patient with Parkinson’s Disease. The information learned in this study will help doctors understand they should treat their patients with of the investigational drug for Parkinson’s Disease treatment over other PD medications.
You may qualify for this study if:
- You have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease and are not on any PD medications
- You are between the ages of 30-80 years old.
- You are able and willing to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests, and other study-related procedures (duration: 36 weeks).
- PRISM Early-Stage Parkinson’s Disease Study
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The PRISM Parkinson’s Research Study is evaluating an investigational drug to determine if it might slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Patients who enroll in this study will receive the study drug weekly over a period of 36 weeks. Participants will have about 10 scheduled in-person visits at the study center and 5 scheduled telephone visits. Those who enroll can expect to be in the study for a total of 44 weeks.
Cervical Dsytonia Research Studies
- Pain Localization in Different Subtypes of Cervical Dystonia
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University Hospitals is enrolling participants for an observational study to learn more about the patterns of pain cervical dystonia.