Clinical Trials
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 your Parkinson’s disease affecting your mood and ability to handle stress?
Purpose: This purpose of this study is to learn more about Parkinson’s disease. We are interested in stress, mood, and fatigue. This information will be used to help design larger studies looking at meditation based, complementary and alternative therapies for mood in Parkinson’s disease. Participation Requirements: Participation in this study will require 1 clinic visit that will include an assessment for signs of Parkinson’s disease and completion of several questionnaires and a computer test. Additionally, we will be recording EEG brain waves and heart rate. To qualify for this study you must be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and not currently be treated with levodopa/carbidopa. There is compensation available for participants of this study. Dr. Jaskrit Wild is the investigator for this study. For more information, please contact Dr. Jaskirat Wild at 5034947219 or wildja@ohsu.edu. eIRB# 4106
2. Announcing a New Research Opportunity for Patients with Parkinson Disease who do not require PD treatment medications.
Oregon Health & Science University is conducting a Multicenter, Double-Blinded, Placebo Controlled study: Effects of Coenzyme Q10 in Parkinson Disease - Phase III (QE3). Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the nutritional supplement Coenzyme Q10 is able to delay the progression of Parkinson disease (PD). Participation Requirements: In order to qualify for this study, participants must:
- Be at least 30 years old
- Have been diagnosed with Parkinson disease within 5 years
- Not require medications for treatment of Parkinson disease symptoms
In this study, you will have a 2 in 3 chance of receiving active study drug and a 1 in 3 chance of receiving a placebo (a tablet that looks like the study drug but has no real medicine in it.) Study visits will take place at the Center for Health and Healing at Oregon Health & Science University. There will be 7 study visits over 16 months.
Study visits will include:
- Physical and neurological examinations
- Electrocardiogram at screening visit (EKG, a record of your heartbeat)
- Evaluations of memory and mood
- Blood and urine samples at some of the visits
There will be no costs for you to become involved. Study drug will provided at no cost. Please contact Megan Murray at 503-418-4387, if you are interested in participating. eIRB #4373
3. Do you have early Parkinson's disease (PD) that you aren't currently treating with any PD medications?
Purpose: There is some recent evidence that higher levels of urate may be related to a slower decline in Parkinson's disease. The purpose of this study is to see if inosine can safely be used to raise urate levels in people with early Parkinson's disease. This information will help us decide if we should continue with a larger study of inosine's ability to slow down the rate of progression or worsening disability in PD. Participation Requirements: In order to participate in the study you must have been diagnosed with PD within the last three years. You must have been age 30 or older at the time of your PD diagnosis. You also must not be taking any medications for your Parkinson's disease. In this study you will be randomly assigned to receive the study drug, inosine, or a placebo (inactive substance). Taking the study drug poses small but likely increased risks of gout and kidney stones (made of uric acid). This is because the study drug is known to raise blood levels of urate. Therefore, if you have a history of gout or kidney stones you will not be eligible to participate in the study. There will be 16 clinic visits over 27 months. Eligible participants will receive study-related evaluations, laboratory tests, and the investigational drug at no cost. For more information please contact Megan Murray at 503-418-4387 or murrayme@ohsu.edu. eIRB #5081
Mid or late stage PD, on PD medications
4. Can creatine slow the progression of Parkinson's disease?
Purpose: 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. Participation Requirements: Participation in this study will require 9 clinic visits and 3 telephone contacts. 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. To qualify for this study you must have been diagnosed with PD within 5 years and 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. Julie Carter is the investigator for this study. For more information, please contact Megan Murray at 503-418-4387 or murrayme@ohsu.edu. eIRB #3112
5. Do you have Parkinson’s disease and currently take carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet)?
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to see how low doses and high doses of the study drug, carbidopa affect movement in subjects with Parkinson’s disease. Participation Requirements: Participation in this study will require 4 clinic visits, 2 three day hospital stays, and a phone call. The study will take 12 weeks to complete. In order to qualify for this study you must be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and currently taking carbidopa/levodopa, which may be labeled as Sinimet. Dr. Jason Aldred is the investigator for this study. For more information, please contact April Wilson at 503-418-1769 or wilsonap@ohsu.edu. eIRB#4133
6. Does continuous or intermittent administration of the drug apomorphine provide better control of motor fluctuations and dyskinesias in people with Parkinson's disease?
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether a continuous or intermittent delivery of the anti-parkinson drug apomorphine works best to control some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The drug apomorphine will be given as either an injection or as a subcutaneous (SQ) (underneath the skin) infusion via an infusion pump for 12 hours a day for 6 months. We will measure the reductions in dyskinesia and the amount of "on" time subjects experience throughout the trial. Participation Requirements: The study requires 13 clinic visits and two inpatient visits; these visits include a 5 day stay in the inpatient Clinical and Translational Research Center at OHSU at the beginning of the study and a 2 day inpatient stay at the end of the study. To qualify, you must have Parkinson's disease and experience dyskinesia 20% of the day and "off" periods for 20% of the day. You also must be willing to learn how to operate an infusion pump and to insert a subcutaneous (SQ) needle into your abdomen, as well as how to give yourself SQ injections. If you are interested in this study contact Erica Myruski at the Parkinson Center of Oregon, OHSU, 503-418-1769 or wilsonap@ohsu.edu. eIRB #2167
7. Do you have troublesome dyskinesia (involuntary movements) from your Parkinson's disease medication of carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet)?
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to measure the effect of Amantadine and Topiramate on levodopa induced dyskinesia. Participation Requirements: Participation in this study will include one screening visit and three overnight inpatient visits at OHSU. Study drugs will be taken for two weeks between the three inpatient visits. Participation will be compensated and will last up to 2.5 months. To qualify for this study you must have a diagnosis of PD, taking oral levodopa (or Sinemet) and have dyskinesia. Dr. Kathy Chung is the investigator for this study. For more information, please contact April Wilson at 503-418-1769 or wilsonap@ohsu.edu. eIRB#4717
Marker/Genetics
8. Do you have Parkinson’s disease and a family history of PD or living family member who is also affected?
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to learn more about the genetics of Parkinson's disease from diagnosed individuals who have a living family member with the disease. Participation Requirements: Participation in this study will require 1 clinic visit consisting of a neurological exam, a blood draw (2-3 tablespoons), and questionnaire, which will take approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours. To qualify for these studies you must be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and either have a family history of PD and/or living family member that also has PD. Julie Carter is the investigator for this study. For more information, please contact April Wilson at 503-418-1769 or wilsonap@ohsu.edu. eIRB # 2246
(VA IRB ID: 2021; VA IRB Grant Number: # 05-0307) Dr. Penny Hogarth is conducting this research study to estimate the frequency of olfactory loss in first-degree relatives of Parkinson's patients. Participation by a first-degree relative of a Parkinson's patient would require 6 one hour annual visits to the Portland VA Medical Center and completion of 6 annual smell tests by mail. The sub-study would require travel to Connecticut for a brain imaging procedure. All costs for travel to Connecticut will be paid by the study sponsor. All first-degree relatives of PD patients above the age of 50 or within 10 years of the age of diagnosis of PD are invited to participate. This is a research study and not treatment or diagnosis of PD. You may not benefit from participating in this study. However, by serving as a subject, you may help us learn how to benefit patients in the future. For more information on how to participate, please contact Susan O'Connor, RN at 503-721-1091.
Exercise & Balance
10. Are you interested in exercise for your Parkinson’s Disease?
Purpose: OHSU’s Human Balance Disorders Laboratory is seeking subjects with Parkinson’s disease to study the effect of two types of high intensity exercise on Parkinson’s Disease. Participation Requirements: Participation in this study requires being randomized into one of two exercise groups and going to OHSU to participate in the exercise program, 4 times a week for 4 weeks and 2 times a week for 2 weeks. You will also undergo tests of your balance and physical performance 3 times (twice before the exercise program begins and one time after). To qualify for this study you must have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, be free of other neurological disorders, have no significant orthopedic muscular, or cardiovascular impairments. Dr. Laurie King is the investigator for this study. For more information please contact Triana Nagel-Nelson at 503-418-2602. eIRB#4402.
11. Do you have Parkinson’s disease and difficulty with balance?
Purpose: 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. Participation Requirements: Participation in this study requires 1 clinic visit that will take approximately 4 hours to complete. To qualify for this study you must have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, be free of other neurological disorders, have no significant orthopedic or muscular impairments for standing and be able to stand independently for at least 20 minutes. You will receive payment for your participation. Dr. Fay Horak is the investigator for this study. For more information, please contact Triana Nagel-Nelson at 503-418-2602. eIRB #811.
12. Healthy Volunteers Needed for Balance Study.
Purpose: 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. Participation Requirements: Participation in this study requires 1 clinic visit that will take 2 to 4 hours. To qualify for this study you must be 1880 years of age, in excellent general health, and have no history of dizziness or balance problems. You will receive payment for your participation. Dr. Fay Horak and Dr. Bob Peterka are the investigators for this study. For more information, please contact Emilie Weed at 5034182618 or Triana Nagel-Nelson at 503-418-2602. eIRB #’s 177, 675, 677, 811, 1080, 1065 and 5696.
13. A Pilot Study of Vitamin D and Balance in Parkinson's disease.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out what the relationship between low vitamin D levels and balance in subjects with Parkinson's disease is. Participation Requirements: Participation in this study requires 1 clinic visit. To qualify for this study you must have a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, greater than or equal to 21 years of age, and able to walk 50 feet without help. Once the entire study is done, we will call you to tell you if your vitamin D levels are low or not. Dr. Amie Peterson is the investigator for this study. For more information, please contact Amie Peterson at 503-418-1769. eIRB #4266
If you would like more information about participating in research studies, contact the PCO (April Wilson, 503 418-1769).
