Clinical Research Directory

Music and Brain Stimulation for Upper Extremity Performance in Patients With Corticobasal Syndrome

This study is designed to investigate how musical patterns (e.g., patterned sensory enhancement, PSE) and non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS) are effective to improve functional upper extremity performances in patients with corticobasal syndrome (CBS). 20 individuals with CBS will be randomly assigned to either PSE group (n= 10) or PSE+tDCS (n=10) group. Both interventions are 30 minutes long, twice a week for three weeks (a total of 6 sessions). Participants' self-reported and measurable outcomes including upper extremity function, kinematic quantities, quality of life, mood, cognitive level, and brain activity (e.g. electroencephalography, EEG) will be assessed in the baseline, pre- and post- each session, and follow-up phase. This study seeks to assess the possibility that music-based intervention and non-invasive brain stimulation may improve outcomes in CBS patients for patients' non-invasive but cost-effective rehabilitation settings in the future.

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.

Improving Prognostic Confidence in Neurodegenerative Diseases Causing Dementia Using Peripheral Biomarkers and Integrative Modeling

To develop a model to predict disease progression in a large cohort of patients across a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia due to any neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Lewy Body Disease (LBD), Vascular Disease (VaD) and Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).

STELLA-FTD: Examination of a Behavior Change Intervention for FTD Family Care Partners

The purpose of this nationwide study is to test STELLA-FTD (Support via Telehealth: Living and Learning with Advancing Alzheimer's Disease)-FTD, an intervention to specifically address the needs of family Care Partners of persons with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). STELLA-FTD is a multicomponent videoconference-based intervention designed to facilitate effective use of community and peer resources to foster effective management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. The study is recruiting families from across the United States.

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.

Diagnosing Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration

To establish diagnostic tools to make an accurate clinical and pathological diagnosis of patients with clinical FTLD syndromes

The NADAPT Study: a Randomized Double-blind Trial of NAD Replenishment Therapy for Atypical Parkinsonism

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS) are severe neurodegenerative diseases with rapid progression and no effective treatment. Patients quickly succumb to increasing motor and non-motor symptoms and survival ranges from \~3 years to \~10 years. Although PSP, MSA and CBS are rare diseases they constitute a major and mostly unaddressed challenge to health-care providers due to the severity of disease and lack of treatment. The main hypothesis for the NADAPT trial is that oral administration of NR can boost cellular NAD levels in the central nervous system of patients with PSP, MSA and CBS, and rectify metabolism and inhibit neurodegeneration, resulting in delayed disease progression and amelioration of symptoms for these patients. To test whether NR is a neuroprotective therapy for atypical parkinsonism, the investigators will perform the NADAPT clinical trial. The investigators will include 130 patients with Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), 165 patients with Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and an indeterminate number of patients with corticobasal syndrome (CBS). The participants will be stratified by disease into three cohorts and randomized to either 3000mg NR daily or placebo. The trial will include patients from all of Norway. Patients will be followed for 78 weeks with both in-clinic visits and decentralized safety measurements and reporting of patient reported outcomes (PROMs). After completion of the 78 weeks follow-up, patients are offered to continue in an open-label NR-only extension study, this extension study will last until follow-up is completed for the last patients in NADAPT.