Research & Clinical Trials
Current & Past Trials on Parkinson's Disease
Ongoing Research & Clinical Trials
PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease is a national initiative that offers genetic testing for clinically relevant Parkinson's-related genes and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Participation can be either in-person at one of our participating Centers of Excellence sites or from home through a telemedicine appointment and at-home cheek swab collection kit.
Randomized, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study Comparing the Efficacy of Immediate and Extended-Release Melatonin as a Supplement Affecting the Sleep Cycle in Patients With Parkinson Disease and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder. Enrolled patients with Parkinson disease and previously diagnosed rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, who are being treated at Mayo Clinic in Florida, will be randomized to receive either immediate-release melatonin or extended-release melatonin and then will be crossed over to receive the opposite intervention. The study will consist of two treatment periods of 4 weeks separated by a washout period of 2 weeks.
TOPAZ: Trial of Parkinson's And Zoledronic Acid A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial of Zoledronic Acid for the Prevention of Fractures in Patients With Parkinson's Disease. This home-based study is a randomized (1:1) placebo-controlled trial of a single infusion of zoledronic acid-5 mg (ZA) for the prevention of fractures in men and women aged 60 years and older with Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism with at least 2 years of follow-up. A total of 3500 participants will be enrolled and randomized in the United States. Participants, follow-up outcome assessors, and study investigators will be blinded to assigned study treatment. This trial is funded by the National Institute of Aging.
Registry of Deep Brain Stimulation With the VERCISE™ System: Vercise DBS Registry. The purpose of this registry is to compile characteristics of world-wide outcomes for the use of Boston Scientific's commercially available Vercise DBS system in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Subjects' improvement in disease symptoms and overall Quality of life will be assessed during the study following DBS and compared with baseline. Additionally, the utilization of Guide XT (GXT) System when used as a planning tool for programming of patients is also evaluated.
Stimulation of the External Pallidal Segment for Insomnia in Patients With Parkinson's Disease. Researchers are to determine if turning on an additional unilateral DBS (deep brain stimulation) electrode with stimulation to the globus pallidus externa (GPe) region of the brain will improve insomnia (sleep).
Parkinson's Outcomes Project
Started in 2009, the Parkinson’s Outcomes Project is the largest-ever clinical study of Parkinson’s disease with more than 13,000 participants in five countries. Through this groundbreaking initiative, Parkinson’s Foundation Centers of Excellence track and monitor their care of people with Parkinson’s over time.
Topaz Trial
Did you know that people with Parkinson's disease (PD) have a higher risk of fractures? Help us find a solution. The TOPAZ study will test if a medicine called zoledronate can prevent fractures in people with PD. A team of doctors who are experts in bone health and PD are leading the study. The use of zoledronate in this study is investigational.
Completed Trials
Patients will begin by collecting data at home without using the mobilaser. They will then be given the mobilaser to use at home for 6 weeks while they collect data on whether their gait has improved. They will then have to return the Mobilaser to the clinic and collect data at home for 3 days to see if there is a difference.
Patients described themselves in home diaries every 30 minutes during waking hours for 3 consecutive days prior to Baseline, Weeks 8, 12, 16, and 20. Unified Parkinson's Disease (PD) Rating Scale (UPDRS) is a standardized assessment of the symptoms and signs of PD. Part II assesses Activities of Daily Living (ADL) based on 13 items, such as speech, hygiene, and falling. Participants receive a score of 0-4 points per item, with a higher score indicating more severe symptoms. Range of possible total scores, 0 to 52. ON state is when medication is providing benefits to mobility, slowness, and stiffness. OFF state is when medication has worn off and is no longer providing benefits with regard to stiffness, slowness, and tremor.
The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether sumanirole is effective and safe in the treatment of the signs and symptoms of early Parkinson's disease.