OHSU

Clinical Trials

The OHSU Parkinson Center of Oregon is a national leader in Parkinson's disease research and recognized as a National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence. We are involved in many studies that are fully recruited and others that are being planned.

Projects already fully recruited include studies on:

  • Drugs to delay progression, new symptomatic drugs
  • Family care research
  • Fatigue, sleep
  • Balance falls
  • Magnetic stimulation
  • Genetics

The following research studies are currently looking for participants:

EARLY STAGE PD (NOT ON PD MEDICATIONS)

1. Do you have early Parkinson’s disease that you aren’t currently treating with any PD medications? – Or –Are you a healthy control interested in volunteering in PD Research? 

Purpose: The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) is an observational research study to identify biomarkers of PD progression. A biomarker is a substance or characteristic in our bodies that is associated with the presence of disease, or that changes over time in a way that can be linked to the progression of disease. The purpose of this study is to identify one or more biomarkers of PD. The discovery of a biomarker of PD is critical to the development of new and better treatments for PD, particularly treatments that could slow or stop the progression of the disease, something no currently available treatment can do.

Participation Requirements: This study will recruit both PD subjects and healthy volunteer subjects. In order to participate in this study as a PD subject you must have been diagnosed with PD within the last two years. You must have been 30 years or older at the time of your PD diagnosis. You also must not be taking any medications for your Parkinson’s disease. In order to participate as a healthy volunteer subject you must not have a first degree relative diagnosed with PD. You must be 30 years old at the time of the screening appointment and you must not have a current or active neurological disorder. The study will use a combination of imaging techniques, collection of blood, urine and spinal fluid and clinical tests. If enrolled subjects will undergo four study visits in their first year, with visits twice a year thereafter. Subjects will be enrolled in the study for 3-5 years depending on their date of enrollment. For more information please contact Emily Pighetti at 503-494-1382 or . eIRB#6459.

EARLY, MID OR LATE STAGE PD (ON PD MEDICATIONS)

2. Have you been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease for less than 5 years and currently taking rasagiline or selegiline as your only treatment for PD?

Purpose: Recent studies show that the study drug piaglitazone, currently used to treat Type II diabetes, may protect nerve cells in various ways. The purpose of this study is to determine if the study drug is safe and well tolerated in patients with Parkinson’s disease and explore any effects on thinking abilities.

Participation Requirements: Participation in this study will include at least six clinic visits and one telephone visit over 48 weeks. The study drug or a placebo will be taken for 44 weeks. A placebo is a pill that looks like the study drug but has no active medicine in it. To qualify for this study, you must have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease within the last five years and be currently taking either rasagiline or selegiline as your only treatment for PD for less than 8 months. If you have a diagnosis of Type I or II diabetes you will not be eligible to participate. Eligible participants will receive study-related evaluations, laboratory tests, and the investigational drug at no cost. Julie Carter is the investigator for this study. For more information, please contact April Wilson at 503-418-1769 or . eIRB# 7084

3. Do you have Parkinson’s disease and involuntary movements from taking levodopa?

Purpose: There is an important medical need for an effective, well-tolerated treatment for involuntary movements (dyskinesia) which develop after five years in at least 40% of patients treated with levodopa. Levodopa is the main medicine given to older patients with PD and those with severe PD symptoms. A new drug called ADX48621 has shown significant effectiveness in animal models of PD and now will be tested for safety, tolerability, and effectiveness in humans with PD and dyskinesia.

Participation Requirements: In order to participate in the study you must have a diagnosis of PD with dyskinesia caused by taking levodopa, be 30-75 years old, have dyskinesia since at least 3 months before entering the study, be taking a stable dose of PD medications at least 4 wks before Screening visit, NOT have had surgery for PD in the past year, and have normal laboratory values in blood and urine tests before the study. In this study you will be randomly assigned to receive the study drug, ADX48621, or a placebo (inactive substance). You will have a 1 in 3 chance of receiving placebo. Eligible participants will receive study-related evaluations, laboratory tests, and the investigational drug at no cost. Remuneration will be provided. For more information please contact the OHSU Parkinson Center at 503-494-9531 or . eIRB # 7376

4. Do you have Parkinson’s disease and balance difficulties?

Purpose: Previous research has found that donepezil can improve balance and fall risk in Parkinson’s patients. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of donepezil on improving balance in Parkinson’s patients.

Participation Requirements: Participation in this study includes a total of 4 clinical visits to OHSU for testing. We are looking for patients who have been diagnosed with Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, have been treated with levodopa for at least one year and have difficulties with balance and falls. Exclusion criteria includes having any other medical conditions other than PD that may effect balance or gait, are unable to stand unassisted for at least 30 minutes, patients who are currently taking an anticholinergics or drugs with known anticholinergic properties. This study involves taking the study drug or placebo for 6 weeks, a 4 week washout period, and then another 6 week period where subject will either be given the study drug or placebo. Between each phase participants will be required to come to OHSU for balance testing and evaluation. If you are interested please contact Elizabeth Murdock at (971) 400-7504. eIRB#7363

EXERCISE AND BALANCE

5. Are you interested in Exercise for your Parkinson’s disease?

Purpose: Clinicians and scientists at OHSU are currently investigating the most beneficial way to deliver an exercise program aimed at preventing mobility and balance problems in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). We are testing the same exercise program provided as either a home exercise program, individualized therapy or as a group program. We are also interested in how common co-morbidities of aging (such as; depression or orthopedic problems) along with PD affect outcomes of exercise. All three arms of the study will be conducted and overseen by physical therapists at OHSU.

Participation Requirements: Participation in this study requires being randomized into one of three exercise groups and potentially going to OHSU to participate in the exercise program, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. You will also undergo tests of your balance and physical performance 2 times (once before the exercise program begins and once after). Transportation will not be provided and you will be paid for participation. To qualify for this study you must have a diagnosis of PD. Dr. Laurie King is the investigator for this study. For more information, please contact Kelsey Priest; 503-575-8401 and . eIRB #4402.

6. Do you have Parkinson’s disease and difficulty with balance?

Purpose: OHSU’s Balance Disorders Laboratory is seeking people with PD to measure balance using small (watch-sized) movement sensors on the limbs and trunk, while subjects are on/ off Levodopa medication.

Participation Requirements: You are qualified for enrollment if you have a diagnosis of PD, are between 50-80 years old, currently taking some form of Levodopa, are free of other neurological disorders, have no significant orthopedic or muscular impairments and are able to stand independently for at least 20 minutes. There is no cost to participate in this study. This is a research study and not part of treatment or diagnosis of PD. You will not benefit by participating in this study but you may learn more about your disease and balance. This study entails a one-time-only visit to the Hatfield Research Building on OHSU’s main campus for approximately 4 hours. There will also be a falls tracking diary for 12 months after your visit- you will be contacted once a month via phone or email (*you will still qualify even if you don’t have falls*). In exchange for the session, participants will be paid $35.00. Dr. Fay Horak, Professor of Neurology is the principal investigator. Please contact Kelsey Priest, research assistant at 503-575-8401 or . eIRB #5029

7. Do you have freezing of gait or start hesitation?

OHSU’s Balance Disorders Laboratory is seeking people with Parkinson’s disease and freezing of gait for a study investigating the relations between freezing of gait, mental function, and brain circuits. Qualifying participants will have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and experience occasional or frequent episodes in which they feel “stuck” when trying to walk.
Participants must be free of other neurological disorders, have no significant orthopedic or muscular impairments for standing, be able to stand independently for at least 20 minutes, and not suffer from claustrophobia. The study takes approximately 4 hours to complete. In exchange for each session, participants will be paid. If interested please call 503-418-2602 or email: . Fay Horak, Ph.D., PT, IRB# 5279

8. Healthy Volunteers Needed for Balance Study.

OHSU’s Human Spatial Orientation Laboratory and Human Balance Disorders 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. If interested, please call 503-418-2602 or email:  Fay Horak, Ph.D, PT, IRB#: 811, 1065, 5279