Parkinson's Disease Research & Clinical Trials

People with Parkinson's Disease (PD) often have problems controlling shaking, stiffness and slowness of movement. Researchers have found that a protein called alpha-synuclein collects in the brain and increases symptoms of PD. Nilotinib may reduce the build-up of alpha-synuclein and may help to relieve PD symptoms. The drug involved in the study, Nilotinib, is investigational for use in PD. The purpose of this study is to determine if Nilotinib is safe and tolerable in patients with PD and to learn if the drug has the possibility to treat PD symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

• Ages 40 to 79 years old
• Those that have had PD for at least 5 years
• Those on a stable regimen of PD medications for at least 30 days prior to screening visit
• Willing to undergo 2-3 lumbar punctures

Contact: Stephanie Burrows, 617-667-9885, or sburrows@bidmc.harvard.edu

The purpose of this project is to look at how mitochondria (a part of the cells that make up your body) work specifically in blood cells of people who have Parkinson disease compared to people who do not have PD. The mitochondria are the part of the cells that provide energy, and measuring mitochondria dysfunction in people with PD may provide information about which patients would respond to treatments and drugs in future trials. The Principal Investigator for this study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is David K. Simon, MD, PhD. If you are interested, this study would involve a one-time blood draw, with the possibility of coming in for a second blood draw.
For this research study, we are asking people to participate who have Parkinson’s Disease and a known genetic mutation in the “GBA” or “Gaucher’s” gene identified by genetic testing. People who participate will be compensated with a $100 visa gift card to cover transportation costs and as a thank you for participating.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Diagnosis of idiopathic PD by a neurologist with expertise in movement disorders.
2. Diagnosis with a known a genetic mutation in the GBA gene.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Diagnosis of diabetes
2. Neuroleptic treatment within the past 90 days
3. Clinically significant orthostatic hypotension
4. Inability to provide informed consent
5. Diagnosis of idiopathic PD without a known genetic mutation of the GBA gene or without having the risk of a genetic mutation in the GBA gene.

Contact: Stephanie Burrows, sburrows@bidmc.harvard.edu or 617-667-9885

The purpose of this study is to learn more about walking problems in people with Parkinson's disease and similar conditions. The study will involve participating in a single study visit with an optional follow up at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Researchers will collect a neurological history and exam from participants and measure walking using a special mat equipped with electronic sensors. Parking is compensated and $25 is paid for the completion of each study visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients with Parkinson's disease and similar conditions and healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 85.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants should be otherwise healthy, not recently hospitalized, and without heart or lung conditions that would prevent walking for ten minutes.

Contact: Laura Hernandez, ldhernan@bidmc.harvard.edu or 617-667-4746

EPI-589 is an agent that may enhance mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of EPI-589 safety as assessed by occurrence of drug-related serious adverse events in subjects with PD. Subjects will participate in a 30-day run-in phase to establish biomarker and clinical baseline measurements. EPI-589 will then be administered for all subjects for up to three months, unless discontinued for safety or tolerability issues.

Note: This study is now fully enrolled. We are no longer recruiting new participants for this trial. Thank you for your interest.

The Dystonia Coalition is an international collaboration of medical researchers and patient advocacy groups with a mission to advance the pace of clinical and translational research in the dystonias to find better treatments and a cure. To participate you must be at least 18 years old and be diagnosed with one of the following primary dystonias:

• Focal dystonia, including cranial dystonia/Meige Syndrome (including blepharospasm)
• Jaw or tongue dystonia
• Laryngeal dystonia (including spasmodic dysphonia) with diagnosis confirmed by nasolaryngoscopy
• Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis)
• Limb dystonia (including writer’s cramp and musician’s dystonia)
• Segmental dystonia
• Generalized dystonia
• Hemi-dystonia

Your last injection of botulinum toxin should be at least two months prior to study visit. You must not have evidence of a secondary cause for dystonia. During the study visit, you will answer questions about your medical and family history, have a neurological exam that will be videotaped, and donate about four tablespoons of blood. The entire visit takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Parking will be compensated.

Contact: Stephanie Burrows, sburrows@bidmc.harvard.edu or 617-667-9885

Subjects are enrolled in a 27-month study (24-month study period with 3-months of washout) to determine whether oral inosine dosed to moderately elevate serum urate levels over two years slows clinical decline in early Parkinson’s disease. This study also aims to determine the safety and tolerability of urate-elevating inosine treatment as well as the long-term effects of inosine on the need for initiating dopaminergic medication changes, vital signs and orthostatic changes, and quality of life and functional disability measures.

Note: This study is now fully enrolled. We are no longer recruiting new participants for this trial. Thank you for your interest.

We encourage individuals with Parkinson's disease who have experienced episodes of freezing, or the feeling of being "stuck" before or during walking or turning, to participate in this study. Participants will be asked to complete a baseline assessment of walking, balance and mental function. They will then be randomized to receive ten sessions of either real or sham (i.e., placebo) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the course of two weeks. Three follow-up assessments will then be completed over the next ten weeks to measure the effects of the tDCS intervention. The entire study will take approximately 14 weeks to complete and a stipend of up to $500 will be provided. Parking is provided and transportation may be arranged if needed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between the ages of 40 and 89
• Have experienced freezing episodes as a result of Parkinson's disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of brain surgery (including that for deep brain stimulation), stroke or other neurodegenerative disease
• Severe depression or other major psychiatric diagnosis
• Inability to walk without assistance
• Uncontrolled hypertension or Diabetes Mellitus
• Certain medications, including benzodiazepines

Contact: Rachel Harrison, RachelHarrison@hsl.harvard.edu

This is a study for people recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It is a two-year study being conducted to look at how well a new IV drug, RO7046015, works versus placebo. The drug works by binding to a protein called alpha-synuclein, with the hope of slowing the progression of early Parkinson’s Disease.

Note: This study is now fully enrolled. We are no longer recruiting new participants for this trial. Thank you for your interest.

This is a study for people recently diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. It is a 2-year study being conducted to look at how well a new IV drug, VX15, works versus placebo. The drug works by binding to and blocking a molecule that may cause brain inflammation that has been shown to affect the thinking, movement, and behaviors that impact the daily activities of individuals with Huntington’s disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 21 years or older thought to be in the early stages of HD
• Clinically diagnosed with HD
• Able to undergo brain scans (MRI and PET)
• Able to commit to once/month study visits

Exclusion Criteria:

• Are currently or have recently (within last 30 days) participated in an investigational drug or device study
• Have had previous neurosurgery for HD or other movement disorders
• If female, are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Body weight above 348 lbs

Contact: Rachael Dawson, rdawson1@bidmc.harvard.edu or 617-667-5215