Current Clinical Trials
Neuroprotection Exploratory Trials in Parkinson's Disease (NET-PD LS-1)
The objective of this study is to determine if creatine is more effective than placebo in slowing the clinical decline in PD patients with early, treated PD.
Isradipine: The objective of this study is to establish the safety and tolerability of Isradipine in patients with Parkinson's disease. This study is conducted in preparation to an NIH submission on the efficacy of this agent as a neuroprotective agent in Parkinson's disease. Subjects must be able to come to Northwestern's Neurology clinic every 2 weeks for 14 weeks.
QE3: The objective of this study is to assess the effects of 2 doses of CoQ10 vs. placebo in slowing the progression of PD in early and otherwise untreated PD patients. This is a 16-month study.
PSP or CBD: The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of lithium in subjects with probable Progessive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) or Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD). This is a 30-week study which consists of 7 clinic visits (the first visit may require an overnight stay in the hospital) and 7 telephone follow-up calls. Participants must also be able to identify a study partner who will be willing and able to supervise the daily dosing of the study medication and to maintain control of the study medications in the participant's home.
Light Study: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of light treatment on excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with Parkinson's disease. This study requires 2 one-night stays in the hospital, 3 clinic visits, and 2 weeks of light box treatment done in the subject's home.
REM Sleep Disorder Behavior: The objective of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of the medication Ramelteon (Rozerem) for treatment of RBD in patients with parkinsonism (Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia). Subjects will be randomized to receive placebo vs. Ramelteon for 8 weeks.
Circadian Rhythms in PD: This study is being done in order to look at how the biological clock works in patients with Parkinson's disease by examining sleep patterns, daytime sleepiness, and melatonin and cortisol blood levels. Participation lasts 2 weeks, which includes 2 sleep studies and one 24-hour period of blood draws. Participants are compensated for their time and travel.
PROGENI: This study is looking for individuals with PD who have a family history of PD in a first degree relative (parent, sibling, child) who may be alive, deceased, unwilling, or unable to participate. The study involves an interview with family members, one clinical exam and collection of blood samples. The study is funded by The National Institutes of Health.
Genetics (NU Study): The objective of this study is to identify the genetic basis of neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by disorders of movement or gait. Subjects with a movement disorder will be asked to give a blood sample, which will be used to investigate the effects of the mutations at the cellular level and explore mechanisms of neurodegeneration, with the goal of developing methods of stopping disease progression and improving therapeutic strategies.
PARS: The objective of this study is to determine if a change in brain imaging and smell loss predicts the onset of Parkinson's disease in first-degree relatives (father, mother, son, daughter, sibling) of patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Control of Repetitive Movement: The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of how the brain controls repetitive movements and how this control is affected by Parkinson's disease. The movements we are studying are repetitive finger taps. Testing will take approximately 6 to 7 hours to complete on one day at the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences located at 675 N. Michigan Avenue.
fMRI & Impulse Control Disorders: To determine whether PD patients with ICD exhibit behavioral impairments of reversal learning, compared to PD patients without ICD.
Duodopa: This study is currently recruiting advanced Parkinson's disease patients with severe motor fluctuations. The goal is to continuously deliver carbidopa-levodopa medication in gel form directly into the small intestine using a tube/pump system. Participation lasts 6 to 12 months, with the option to continue with treatment after the study is over.
Contact
To learn more about our clinical trials, call 312-503-2593 or fax us at 312-908-5073.
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center
675 North St. Clair Street, Suite 20-100
Chicago, IL 60611-2923