Clinical Research Directory

The Efficacy of Psilocybin Therapy for Depression in Parkinson's Disease

The purpose of this study is to understand whether people with Parkinson's Disease and depression have improvement in their symptoms after psilocybin therapy.

Biomechanical Effects of EMST® on Swallowing Function in Parkinson's Disease

The aim of this non-randomized intervention study is to investigate the detailed effects of a structured four-week EMST® training program on the biomechanics of swallowing function in dysphagic Parkinson's patients. A combination of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and pharyngeal high-resolution manometry (HRM) will be employed to comprehensively evaluate the neuromuscular changes in swallowing.

Coordinated Reset Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical implant procedure for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease (PD) utilizing medical devices approved by the FDA. A novel approach to current DBS approaches is called "Coordinated Reset" DBS (CR-DBS) which uses different patterns of stimulation at lower currents and can address the limitations of traditional DBS (T-DBS) that uses continuous high amplitude and high frequency stimulation. This study will evaluate the safety and short-term efficacy of CR-DBS in PD. The results from this study will significantly advance the development of CR-DBS for the treatment of PD. Findings in this study will also provide the rationale for further development of this novel DBS approach for other neurological and psychiatric disorders.

An Observational Study of Subcutaneous Infusion of ABBV-951 to Assess Change in Disease Activity and Adverse Events In Adult Japanese Participants With Advanced Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological condition, which affects the brain. Some symptoms of PD are tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement. The purpose of this study is to assess how safe and effective ABBV-951 is in treating participants with Parkinson's disease in real world setting. ABBV-951 is an approved drug being developed for the treatment of PD in Japan. Approximately 250 adult participants over 15 years with a diagnosis of PD who are prescribed ABBV-951 by their physicians will be enrolled in this study across Japan. Participants will receive ABBV-951 as prescribed their physician and followed for 52 weeks. There is expected to be no additional burden for participants in this trial. Study visits may be conducted on-site or virtually as per standard of care.

Extension Study To Evaluate Safety And Tolerability Of 24-Hour Daily Exposure Of Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion of ABBV-951 In Adult Participants With Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological condition, which affects the brain. PD gets worse over time, but how quickly it progresses varies a lot from person to person. Some symptoms of PD are tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement. The purpose of this study is to continue testing whether ABBV-951 is safe, effective, and tolerable in participants with Parkinson's disease after completion of the parent study M15-741. ABBV-951 is an investigational (unapproved) drug containing levodopa phosphate/carbidopa phosphate (LDP/CDP) given as infusion under the skin for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Participants who have successfully completed M15-741 study will immediately enter this study's treatment period to continue receiving ABBV-951. Adult participants with advanced PD will be enrolled. Approximately 130 adult participants will be enrolled in the study at approximately 65 sites worldwide. Participants will receive continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSCI) of ABBV-951 for 24 hours daily during the Primary Treatment Period and during the optional Extended Treatment Period. There may be higher treatment burden for participants in this trial compared to their standard of care. Participants will attend regular clinic visits and have remote assessments completed via phone calls during the course of the study. The effect of the treatment will be checked by medical assessments, blood tests, checking for side effects, and completing questionnaires.

Exoskeleton-Assisted Mobility in Aging and in Parkinson's Disease

This study will evaluate whether a wearable robotic exoskeleton can improve mobility, balance, and walking in healthy older adults and in individuals living with Parkinson's disease, populations at high risk of falls and mobility limitations. Participants will attend two laboratory sessions. The first session includes clinical assessments, fitting and familiarization with the exoskeleton, and interviews to explore user perceptions. The second session involves performing functional mobility tasks (e.g., walking, standing, turning) with and without the exoskeleton and under different assistance levels, while movement is measured using wearable sensors. The study will assess the immediate effects of the exoskeleton on mobility, compare assistance levels, identify which participants benefit most, and explore user experience and acceptability. Findings will help inform the development and implementation of assistive technologies to support mobility in healthy aging and in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Impact of Force Control of Hip Abductor Muscles in Healthy Adults and Individuals With Parkinson's Disease

Both aging and Parkinson's disease (PD) negatively affect postural control and increase the risk of falls, with frontal plane balance being particularly challenging for these populations. While previous studies have mainly focused on sagittal plane balance, the contribution of hip abductor muscles remains unclear, especially regarding their force production and control abilities. Therefore, this study aims to investigate hip abductor muscle force production and force control, and to examine whether these factors are associated with postural control, gait, and balance performance in individuals across different ages and those with PD.

Closed-loop TMS for Tremor

This study investigates the potential of phase-locked transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a non-invasive intervention for tremor in patients with Essential Tremor (ET) and Parkinson's Disease (PD). Tremor is a prevalent symptom that significantly impacts physical function and social participation. ET affects approximately 1% of the global population and worsens with age, while PD tremor is often less responsive to conventional dopaminergic therapy. Current treatments, including oral medications (propranolol, primidone), anticholinergics, and deep brain stimulation (DBS), are either limited by efficacy, side effects, or invasiveness. These challenges highlight the need for alternative, less invasive therapeutic options. The rationale for the study is based on the principle of phase-dependent neural modulation. Just as a swing's amplitude can be increased or decreased depending on when it is pushed, neural oscillations underlying tremor can theoretically be suppressed by precisely timed stimulation. Previous studies have shown that TMS over the motor cortex at tremor frequency (\~5 Hz) produces modest improvements in PD rest tremor. This study aims to enhance these effects by targeting amplitude-suppressing phases in the tremor cycle, potentially leading to greater and cumulative tremor reduction. The study has two components: Study 1 (Primary Objective): Determine whether phase-locked TMS can acutely reduce tremor. Participants (20 ET, 20 PD) will undergo two visits where tremor is recorded via inertial measurement units (IMUs) and surface EMG. TMS will be delivered over the motor cortex at or below active motor threshold, synchronized to the participant's tremor phase. The primary outcome is the change in tremor power during stimulation compared to no stimulation, measured objectively via IMU signals. Study 2 (Secondary Objective): Examine whether stimulation at the maximal tremor-suppressing phase, identified in Study 1, produces a larger reduction in tremor amplitude than stimulation at the minimal suppressing phase or sham stimulation. This will involve three additional sessions per participant, randomized for order, with outcomes assessed via IMU tremor power and participant-reported measures including the Quality of Life in Essential Tremor Questionnaire (QUEST), TETRAS, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Study Design and Procedures: The design is a within-subject crossover. Participants may withhold tremor medications during visits to reduce confounding effects. EMG electrodes and IMU sensors will record tremor, while a figure-of-eight TMS coil will deliver phase-locked pulses. Phase-specific stimulation trains are applied for 3 seconds at intervals, with randomized order across multiple blocks. Study sessions last under two hours, including setup and post-stimulation recordings. Participants are recruited via self-referral or through DeNDRoN, screened for eligibility, and provide informed consent. Inclusion criteria require symptomatic ET or PD tremor, age ≥18, and ability to consent. Exclusion criteria include epilepsy, psychiatric illness, metal implants, pacemakers, or other conditions contraindicating TMS. Participants may withdraw at any time without penalty. Safety Measures: TMS and IMU recordings are low-risk, with potential minor effects including scalp tapping sensations, muscle twitches, or mild headaches, which are managed through monitoring and coil adjustment. Serious adverse events are defined, and procedures for reporting and auditing are established in accordance with UK regulations and Good Clinical Practice. Data Analysis: Tremor power will be quantified from IMU recordings using spectral analysis. Statistical comparisons between stimulation conditions and baseline will be conducted using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests. The study will employ validated software for randomization and analysis (SPSS, Matlab). Data will be pseudo-anonymized, securely stored, and archived for long-term research use. Ethical Considerations: The study follows the Declaration of Helsinki, Good Clinical Practice, and institutional approvals. Participants' privacy and data protection are ensured under GDPR standards. There are no commercial conflicts of interest, and participants are reimbursed for travel expenses. In summary, this research aims to evaluate the efficacy of phase-locked TMS as a non-invasive, targeted interventionfor tremor in ET and PD. By systematically stimulating the motor cortex at tremor-specific phases, the study seeks to establish a foundation for future minimally invasive treatments that could complement or replace existing pharmacological and surgical options.

Cerebellar Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) to Modulate Parkinson's Disease Tremor

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by different motor symptoms, including tremor, which is particularly difficult to manage. Common treatments, such as dopaminergic therapy, can have limitations in efficacy. Recent advancements in non-invasive brain stimulation, specifically phase-adaptive transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), offer a promising approach to reduce PD tremor. In the current project, a newly developed closed-loop system delivers precisely synchronized cerebellar tACS by aligning stimulation with the intrinsic hand tremor signal. The study will assess the efficacy of this novel approach to reduce hand tremor in PD patients.

Understanding Alpha-Synuclein Spread in Parkinson's Disease Through Blood Biomarkers and Neuroimaging

The project aims to investigate how abnormal accumulation of alpha synuclein and its interaction with tau influence brain function across the Parkinson's disease (PD) spectrum, with particular focus on individuals carrying GBA1 mutations. This interventional, monocentric, cross sectional study includes patients with PD, individuals with idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder, and participants without PD. All enrolled subjects will undergo clinical and neuropsychological assessments, blood based biomarker analyses related to neurodegeneration, synaptic and mitochondrial function, and multimodal brain MRI to evaluate brain structure, white matter integrity, and functional connectivity. The study aims to: * characterize the relationship between alpha synuclein/tau pathology and synaptic mitochondrial dysfunction; * identify biomarker and connectivity signatures across disease stages and genetic backgrounds; * integrate preclinical, clinical, biological, and imaging data to support the development of mechanistic models of alpha synuclein propagation. In parallel, preclinical studies in GBA PD mouse models and wild type mice will be used to investigate how changes in PD-related pathology (alpha-synuclein and tau) relates to behavior, brain imaging alterations and mitochondrial, axonal and synaptic damage. Animal model will also aid the validation of a new PET tracer that targets alpha synuclein (i.e., \[¹⁸F\]Syntacasyn). Together, human and preclinical studies are designed to provide a translational framework integrating molecular changes with brain network alterations and clinical heterogeneity in PD.

A Study of Buntanetap in Participants With PD

This study will examine the long-term safety of buntanetap in participants with PD. This will be a 36-month open-label safety study. This study will be conducted with two cohorts. Cohort 1 will enroll via invitation only for PD participants who have previously participated in buntanetap clinical trials. Cohort 2 will be for PD participants who are receiving deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment. Qualified participants will receive buntanetap 30mg QD after a screening period of up to 42 days.

Movement State-dependent Adaptive DBS for PD

This is a single-center clinical study aiming to improve gait functions in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) by using adaptive neurostimulation to the pallidum. The investigators will use a bidirectional deep brain stimulation device with sensing and stimulation capabilities to 1) identify neural biomarkers to detect the onset of walking by recording neural activities from the motor cortical areas and the globus pallidus, 2) understand the impacts of changes in DBS parameters on gait kinematics and optimize setting parameters for enhancing walking performance, 3) develop a movement state-dependent adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS) paradigm to automatically switch stimulation settings according to different movement states (i.e., walking vs non-walking). The proposed therapy will deliver personalized neurostimulation based on individual physiological biomarkers to enhance gait function in patients with PD. 6 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who have already been implanted with the Medtronic Summit RC+S device will be enrolled in this study.

Automated Image-Guided Programming of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's Disease

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate an automated deep brain stimulation (DBS) algorithm developed by Boston Scientific called Illumina 3D for motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). The main question it aims to answer is: Is this new automated algorithm effective for treating motor symptoms of PD. Fifteen participants are anticipated to be enrolled. Participants are individuals who recently were implanted with DBS in the subthalamic nucleus as part of their regular clinical treatment and are scheduled to have their DBS turned ON for the first time. In addition to their regular clinical visit when their DBS is turned ON by their clinician, participants are tested on DBS settings determined by Illumina 3D (an automated algorithm). Participants are tested on these different settings across different motor tasks, including walking and finger tapping, as well as answering questionnaires. The experiment is expected to last 1 or 2 days; this is not a longitudinal or long-term trial. Participants return to their usual DBS settings once they leave the clinic.

Real-World Study of ABBV-951 Subcutaneous Infusion to Assess Change in Disease Activity in Adult Participants With Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological condition, which affects the brain. PD gets worse over time, but how quickly it progresses varies a lot from person to person. Some symptoms of PD are tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how effective ABBV-951 is in treating adult participants with advanced PD in real world setting. ABBV-951 (foslevodopa/foscarbidopa) is an approved drug for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. The main ROSSINI study will have approximately 450 adult participants with PD (300 participants new to ABBV-951, up to 150 participants transitioning from open-label extension study) will be enrolled across approximately 60 sites. Decision to treat with ABBV-951 (or continue the treatment in Cohort B) will be made by the doctor prior to any decision to approach the participant to participate in this study. There will be a sub-study that will enroll 40 naïve participants who initiated Foslevodopa/Foscarbidopa treatment for the first time (Cohort A of the ROSSINI parent study only) from 6 to 15 centers in the United States, Germany and Spain. All participants will receive subcutaneous infusion of ABBV-951 for approximately 3 years. Participants will attend regular clinic visits during the course of the study. The effect of the treatment will be checked by medical assessments, and completing questionnaires.

A Phase 2a Multicenter Clinical Trial of TB006 in Participants With Parkinson's Disease

The primary objectives of this study are to assess the efficacy of TB006 in improving motor function and to assess the safety of TB006 in participants with Parkinson's Disease (PD).

Effects of Cognitive Dual-Task on Gait in Parkinson's Disease

The aim of this study is to evaluate gait in individuals diagnosed with PD under tasks involving different cognitive domains, to compare the results with those of age and sex-matched healthy individuals, and to determine which cognitive function has the greatest impact on gait in PD.

A Phase 2 Study to Assess the Effects of SUL-238 on High Energy Phosphates With ³¹P-MRS in Patients With Early, Untreated Parkinson's Disease

The main goal of the study is to investigate how well the new drug SUL-238 works in Parkinson's Disease (PD). This is done by means of an MRS scan. An MRS scan is similar to a regular MRI scan. It will also learn about the safety of new drug SUL-238. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does new drug SUL-238 improve the mitochondrial function in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD)? * What medical problems do participants have when taking new drug SUL-238? Researchers will compare new drug SUL-238 to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if SUL-238 works to improve mitochondrial function in patients with PD. Participants will: * Take new drug SUL-238 or a placebo every day for 28 days * Visit the clinic once every 2 weeks for checkups and tests during the treatment period and finally 28 days after the last dose of SUL-238 * Keep a diary of their symptoms and the number of times they use oral new drug SUL-238

Electrophysiology-based DBS Programming for PD

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) effectively alleviates motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, current programming is manual and time-consuming. This study will evaluate physiology-based programming using local field potentials (LFPs) to identify optimal stimulation parameters. Specifically, DBS contact selection based on beta power and a broad-band approach will be compared with conventional clinician-based programming.

Effects of the Stimulation Site of tsMS With TMS on Functional Mobility in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of two different trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (tsMS) application sites, cervical versus thoracic, when combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), on functional mobility in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Participants diagnosed with PD will be randomized into two intervention groups (rTMS + cervical tsMS or rTMS + thoracic tsMS) and will undergo 10 treatment sessions. Outcomes will include functional mobility, gait speed, motor function, freeing of gait, balance, quality of life, global perceived improvement and adverse events. The study is expected to identify the most effective tsMS application site to enhance mobility and motor outcomes in PD, contributing to the optimization and standardization of tsMS protocols as an adjunct therapy.

LFP-based Parameter Prediction in DBS for Parkinson's Disease

The goal of this observational study is to assess whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) contact selection in Parkinson's disease could be informed by subcortical local field potential (LFP) recordings. The main question it aims to answer is: Aligns stimulation contact selection based on subcortical LFP recordings with clinically optimized contact selection? Participants will undergo LFP recordings that are part of standard clinical care during their routine hospital visits.

Research Into the Safety of a New Agent (VT-5006) in People With and Without Parkinson's Disease

This is a first-in-human (FIH) study of orally administered VT-5006 (also known as AX-5006) in healthy adult volunteers (HVs) and adult participants with Parkinson's disease (PD). The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if VT-5006 is safe and tolerable in healthy volunteers and in participants with PD. It has three Parts (A, B, and C). Part A: Healthy volunteers aged 18-54 will attend a screening visit, take a single dose of VT-5006 or matching placebo after an overnight fast, stay in the clinic for three nights, and complete a follow-up visit. One group of participants in Part A will be asked to return to the clinic after approximately two weeks, take a single dose of VT-5006 or matching placebo after consuming a high-fat meal and stay in the clinic for another three nights. Part B: Healthy volunteers aged 18-54 will attend a screening visit, take one dose of VT-5006 or matching placebo each day for seven days after fasting overnight, stay in the clinic for 10 nights, and complete a follow up visit. Part C: Participants with PD aged 40-80 will attend a screening visit, take one dose of VT-5006 (high dose), VT-5006 (low dose), or matching placebo each day for 28 days, complete two overnight stays in the clinic, attend three clinic visits, one phone call and a follow up visit.

Effects Of Strategy Training And PNF On Balance, Gait, And Independence In Parkinson's Disease

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of Strategy Training and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on balance, gait, and functional independence in patients with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease leads to impaired motor function, reduced balance, and decreased independence. Physiotherapy interventions such as strategy-based training and PNF may help improve mobility and functional performance. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving Strategy Training and the other receiving PNF intervention. Outcome measures including balance tests, gait assessment, and functional independence scales will be evaluated before and after treatment. The study aims to determine which intervention is more effective in improving functional outcomes in Parkinson's disease patients.

Terazosin And Metabolic Energetics in Parkinson's Disease

This study investigates if Terazosin can improve metabolism in PD.

Mild Cognitive Impairment Community Screening and Early Intervention Via Stem Cell Therapy and Wearable Brain Computer Interface Device.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of community-based early detection and targeted interventions, including stem cell therapy and wearable non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) devices, for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in adults aged 55 years and older residing in U.S. urban and suburban communities. Primary objectives include assessing improvements in MCI detection rates, cognitive outcomes, and progression delay compared to standard care.