Clinical Research Directory

The Swedish BioFINDER 2 Study

The Swedish BioFINDER 2 study is a new study that will launch in 2017 and extends the previous cohorts of BioFINDER 1 study (www.biofinder.se). BioFINDER 1 is used e.g. to characterize the role of beta-amyloid pathology in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) using amyloid-PET (18F-Flutemetamol) and Aβ analysis in cerebrospinal fluid samples. The BioFINDER 1 study has resulted in more than 40 publications during the last three years, many in high impact journals, and some the of the results have already had important implications for the diagnostic work-up patients with AD in the clinical routine practice. The original BioFINDER 1 cohort started to include participants in 2008. Since then there has been a rapid development of biochemical and neuroimaging technologies which enable novel ways to the study biological processes involved in Alzheimer's disease in living people. There has also been a growing interest in the earliest stages of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. With the advent of new tau-PET tracers there is now an opportunity to elucidate the role of tau pathology in the pathogenesis of AD and other tauopathies. The Swedish BioFINDER 2 study has been designed to complement the BioFINDER 1 study and to e.g. address issues regarding the role of tau pathology in different dementias and in preclinical stages of different dementia diseases. Further, the clinical assessments and MRI methods have been further optimized compared to BioFINDER 1. Detailed assessments of motor aspects and dual task performance, which is part of a sub-study named Motor-ACT: "Motor aspects and activities in relation to cognitive decline and brain pathologies, has been added to further optimize assessment of motor function.

Community Outreach for Palliative Engagement -- Parkinson Disease

The purpose of this study is to learn more about the effectiveness of palliative care training for community physicians and telemedicine support services for patients and carepartners with Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) or related conditions and their care partners. Palliative care is a treatment approach focused on improving quality of life by relieving suffering in the areas of physical symptoms such as pain, psychiatric symptoms such as depression, psychosocial issues and spiritual needs. Telemedicine is the use of technology that allows participants to interact with a health care provider without being physically near the provider.

A Multi-Modal Remote Monitoring Platform for Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD) Syndromes

The primary objective of this study is to enroll an observational cohort of approximately 60 patients with PSP over the course of 24 months using a multicenter study design and to follow each of them for 12 months. The secondary objective of this study is to develop a robust solution for multi-modal remote monitoring of motor symptoms and function in PSP that can be applied to other Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) syndromes.

The CurePSP Genetics Program

This study is an observational, prospective genetic study. It aims to obtain DNA for research and testing from patients with PSP, CBS, MSA, and related neurological conditions and their families. Up to 1,000 adults who have been clinically diagnosed with PSP, CBS, MSA, or related neurological conditions will be enrolled. The study intervention involves sequencing of participant blood samples using non-CLIA-approved whole genome sequencing at the National Institutes of Health. Pathogenic variants that are deemed possibly related to these conditions will be confirmed using CLIA-approved testing. The study involves minimal risk to participants.

Scrambler Therapy for Corticobasal Syndrome-Associated Pain

The goal of this pilot trial is to test whether scrambler therapy (ST) is an effective treatment for neuropathic pain in patients with corticobasal syndrome (CBS). The main question it aims to answer is: Will ST reduce pain scores by at least 33% at one month in this pilot trial, justifying further multi-center trials? Participants will: * be randomly assigned treatment from either transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or ST for pain initially (eventually all patients will receive ST). * have superficial electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes placed on the dermatomes involved with pain * obtain treatment lasting 30-40 minutes or until pain relief is obtained Researchers will compare patient's response to pain relief with TENS and ST to determine if ST is an effective treatment for central neuropathic pain.

Digital Measurements of Motor and Voice Functions in FTD

The primary objective of this clinical study is to provide the initial validation for monitoring biomarkers of symptoms and functioning for individuals with FTLD syndromes. Researchers at BioSensics and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine will use wearable sensors, computerized speech, psychomotor, and cognitive assessments to create outcome measures and digital biomarkers for FTLD syndromes. Researchers will deploy this digital health solution to monitor 20 patients with FTLD syndromes for 12 months with study visits every 3 months.

Imaging Studies in Corticobasal Syndrome

The primary goal of this study is to investigate inflammation and white matter damage in corticobasal syndrome and determine whether these processes are related to each other. The investigator's will address our goal by using neuroimaging and blood plasma biomarkers, as well as molecular pathology.

Gait Analysis in Neurological Disease

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether speed-dependent measures of gait can be identified in patients with neurological conditions that affect gait, particularly in subjects with parkinsonian disorders.

NYSCF Scientific Discovery Biobank

The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute is performing this research to accelerate diverse disease research using cells from the body (such as skin or blood cells) to make stem cells and other types of cells, conduct research on the samples, perform genetic testing, and store the samples for future use. Through this research, researchers hope to identify future treatments or even cures for the major diseases of our time.

The Use of the CUE1/CUE1+ in People With Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly experience a range of both motor (e.g., bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, and postural instability) and non-motor (e.g., fatigue, psychiatric and behavioural disturbances, autonomic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, sleep dysfunction and olfactory loss) features. Currently, it is challenging to alleviate these symptoms with first-line treatment, the medications such as levodopa. The CUE1 is a non-invasive device, which is approved for sale in the UK market as a Class I low risk device. It is worn on the sternum or other part of the body such as the forearm and attaches to the skin via an adhesive patch which has been dermatologically tested and approved. The CUE1 delivers pulsing cueing and vibrotactile stimulation to help improve symptoms in people with PD and it has shown to be effective in doing so in previous small case studies. This 9-week feasibility study aims to investigate the feasibility, safety, tolerability and effect of using the CUE1 as an intervention to improve motor and non-motor symptoms in people with PD and related movement disorders. People with clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD and related disorders including those with progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal degeneration, orthostatic tremor and vascular Parkinsonism as well as atypical dystonias and tremor disorders aged over 18 years old who have the capacity to provide a written consent form to take part in the study, will receive as intervention to wear the CUE1 device at home, on daily basis while carrying out their activities of daily living. Participants will also have to attend face-to-face appointments of approximately half a day, to discuss how they are getting on with using the CUE1 and complete questionnaires on their symptoms, walking, balance, and movement tests as well as a participant's clinical diary.

Neurodegenerative Diseases Progression Markers (MARKERS-NDD)

MARKERS-NDD is a prospective, observational, longitudinal study, which aims to collect data from patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) followed longitudinally for routine examinations performed as part of normal clinical practice. Data collected from clinical evaluations, movement analysis, brain imaging, neuropsychological and electroencephalographic assessments, blood chemistry tests will be analysed to carry out statistical investigations and predictive analyses, also using artificial intelligence systems, which allow the identification of new early markers of diagnosis and prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases.

Sociodemographic Factors and Criminal Behaviour Preceding Neurodegenerative Disease - Retrospective Register Study

In this retrospective register study, clinically classified individuals with neurodegenerative disease from the years 2010-2021 will be verified from the clinical records from KUH and Oulu University Hospital (OUH). Based on the Finnish social security number, these individuals will be linked to the the national registers of Statistics Finland and Finnish Social and Health Data Permit Authority Findata including incomes, sociodemographic factors, education, occupation, criminal records as well as to the national registers including the bought pharmaceuticals, comorbidities and causes of death. For each study case, 10 randomly selected control cases, matched with age, sex and geographical area, will be used. The aim of the study is to examine: * 1\) The prevalence of criminal and other disruptive behaviour in groups of different neurodegenerative diseases prior to and after the diagnosis * 2\) Changes in employment, residency,income, and marital status prior to and after the neurodegenerative disease diagnosis * 3\) Hospital diagnoses and reimbursable drugs prior to and after the diagnosis * 4\) Causes of death in patients with neurodegenerative disease to study excess mortality of the patients

Modifiable Variables in Parkinsonism (MVP)

We are trying to identify factors associated with improved quality of life and fewer PD symptoms. We are attempting to identify practices, beliefs, and therapies used by individuals who report excellent quality of life, few PD symptoms, and reduced rates of progression. After agreeing to participate, we will ask participants to fill our questionnaires about their experience with PD, their health in general, along with their food intake every six months for five years.