Research Opportunities
The PCO at OHSU is a national leader in Parkinson's disease research and recognized as a National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence. The PCO is involved in many other studies that are fully recruited and others that are being planned. Those already fully recruited include studies on drugs to delay progression, new symptomatic drugs, family care research, fatigue, balance, falls, magnetic stimulation, genetics, and sleep. The following research studies are currently looking for participants:
Early stage PD, not on PD medications
1. Is variability heart rate an early marker of Parkinson's disease? The purpose of this study is to determine whether the variability of heart rate is decreased in people who have Parkinson's disease compared to people who do not have PD, and if variability of heart rate decreases in PD as symptoms of the disease progress. Criteria for participation in the study are: having a diagnosis of PD by a movement disorders specialist and not taking medications for treatment of Parkinson's symptoms, no history of heart disease or diabetes and not taking any medications that could affect heart rate variability such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers or anti-arrhythmics. Participant will have 4-6 visits in the course of a year for EKG's.
Contact Pamela Andrews, 503 494-0965 eIRB 3301
Mid or late stage on PD medications
2. Can creatine slow the progression of Parkinson's disease? The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the study drug, creatine is able to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, you will be randomly assigned to receive the study drug or placebo (inactive substance). Neither you nor the investigator will know whether you have received the study drug or placebo. The investigator will follow the progress of participants for a minimum of five years, performing physical exams, tests of thinking, mood and evaluations of quality of life to monitor signs of disease progression. There will be at least 9 clinic visits and 3 telephone contacts. There will be no costs for you to become involved.
For more information, call Megan Murray at 503 418-4387. eIRB #3112
In order to qualify for this study, participants must meet the following requirements:
- You must have been diagnosed with PD within 5 years of beginning the trial
- You must have been treated with and been responsive to treatment with dopamine agonists or levodopa for at least 90 days but not more than 2 years
3. Dyskinesia and Parkinson's disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the study drug, fipamezole, is able to lessen dyskinesia (involuntary movements) caused by PD medications and shorten the "off times" between doses of medications for PD. In this study you will have a 3 in 4 chance of receiving active study drug and a 1 in 4 chance of receiving a placebo (a tablet that looks like the study drug but has no real medicine in it). Participation will include 9 clinic visits which will last for 2 to 8 hours over a period of 2 to 3 months. For three days prior to the clinic visits you will be asked to use an electronic diary to record your dyskinesia. In order to qualify for this study you must be have dyskinesia caused by PD medications for at least 25% of the day. There will be no costs for you to become involved. You will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses such as lodging, meals and travel during your participation.
Dr. Jeff Kraakevik is the investigator for this study and Megan Murray is the person to contact at 503 418-4387 if you are interested in participating. eIRB #4063
MARKERS / GENETICS
4. Do you have Parkinson's disease and a living brother or a sister who is also affected? The Parkinson Center of Oregon is conducting a study to learn more about the genetics of PD from people with Parkinson's disease who have a living sibling with the disease. Participation would involve one visit at OHSU consisting of a neurological exam, a blood draw (2-3 tablespoons), and questionnaire, which will take approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours.
For more information call Pamela Andrews at 503 494-0965. IRB #5367
DEPRESSION in PD
5. Do you have Parkinson's and untreated depression? The Parkinson Center of Oregon is currently conducting a research project for patients with depression that have Parkinson's disease. The study will examine the use of two FDA approved anti-depressants, Paxil CR and Effexor XR to see how these drugs affect depression in Parkinson's patients. You must be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and have had no recent use of antidepressants.
Dr. Matthew Brodsky is the investigator for this study and April Wilson is the person to contact if interested in participation at 503 418-1769. eIRB # 1407
6. Fish oil for depression in Parkinson's disease. The purpose of this study is to determine if taking omega-3 fatty acids along with your current anti-depressant helps with symptoms of depression in people with PD. In addition we will determine if omega-3 fatty acids decrease blood levels of substances that are associated with depression. To qualify for this study you must have a diagnosis of PD, currently on a stable dose of anti-depressant medication, and be between the ages of 18 and 85. If interested in participating, please call Dr. Lynne Shinto at 503 494-5035. eIRB # 0179
BALANCE
7. Balance/Falls and Parkinson's disease. The purpose of this study is to find out if a medication that increases levels of a brain chemical called acetylcholine will improve balance and reduce falls in people with Parkinson's disease who have poor balance and are falling or nearly falling on a daily basis. In order to take part in this study, you must be 21 or older. You must have balance impairment that results in 2 falls or near-falls per week.
For more information, please call Pamela Andrews at 503 494-0965 IRB# 7950
8. Balance and Parkinson's disease study. OHSU's Human Balance Disorders Laboratory is seeking patients with Parkinson's disease for a study of the effect on the balance function of Parkinson's while on and off Levodopa. Qualifying participants will have a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, be free of other neurological disorders, have no significant orthopedic or muscular impairments for standing and will be able to stand independently for at least 20 minutes. The study takes approximately 4 hours to complete. In exchange for each session, participants will be paid. For more information, please call Triana Nagel-Nelson at 503-418-2602 for more details. IRB #811.
9. Healthy Volunteers Needed for Balance Study. OHSU's Human Balance Disorders Laboratory and Human Spatial Orientation Laboratory are seeking healthy individuals to serve as age-matched controls for patients with neurological involvement for studies in balance function. Participants must be 18-80 years of age, in excellent general health, and have no history of dizziness or balance problems. In exchange for each 2 to 4-hour session, participants will be paid.
For more information, please call Triana Nagel-Nelson at 503-418-2602 for more details. IRB #811.
OTHER MOVEMENT DISORDERS
10. Do you have Huntington's disease? Dr. Penelope Hogarth is recruiting people with Huntington's disease (HD) for a research study. The study will evaluate the safety of a drug called ursodiol in people with HD and will explore how the compound is processed by the body. Ursodiol is approved for use in other disorders but not HD.
In this study, you will receive a capsule to take twice a day. The capsule may contain the study drug or an inactive substance called a placebo. A placebo is a capsule that looks like the study drug but has no real medicine in it. You have a 2 in 3 chance of receiving the study drug.
Study visits will take place in the Clinical & Translational Research Center at Oregon Health & Science University. The study requires 5 visits to the clinic, and will take 8 to 9 weeks to complete. Each visit will take about 1 ½ to 2 hours, and you will need to bring a family member, close friend or guardian to at least the first visit.
During this study, you will do some simple tests of coordination and balance, and you will have an EKG (a record of your heartbeat), blood draw, and urine test at some of the visits. You will also have a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) at two of the visits. You will be paid $100 for each visit involving a spinal tap, and $25 for the other visits. The total reimbursement for participation in all the study visits will be up to $275.
Please contact study coordinator April Wilson at 503 418-1769 for more information. eIRB# 1927
If you would like more information about participating in research studies, contact the PCO (April Wilson, 503 418-1769). |