Research Studies: Parkinson's Disease

Currently Enrolling Studies

Integrating Co-Pathology and Neuroinflammation Profiling for Early Diagnosis and Patient Stratification

Help advance research on early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. This study is evaluating whether proteins in biological samples can help distinguish Parkinson’s disease and identify early stages.

There is one in-person visit at UC San Diego (about 2.5 to 4 hours), which may include:

• Questionnaires and neurological exam
• Blood pressure measurement
• Blood draw
• Small skin biopsy Compensation Up to $50 for parking or transportation

• Individuals with PD, MSA, CBS, or PSP
• Healthy adults

Contact us at 858-246-2505 or MDCResearchStudies@health.ucsd.edu

Cognitive Function Study in Parkinsonian Disorders

This pilot study is evaluating cognitive tasks designed to detect very early changes in thinking abilities.

We are enrolling individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), or progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) who have normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Participation includes a brief screening (MoCA if needed) and completion of cognitive tasks.

To learn more or participate, please contact Hyunmin Kim, Study Coordinator:  hys008@ucsd.edu

PDGENE - Parkinson's Foundation: PDGeneration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson's Disease

• This study is focused on assessing the impact, feasibility and participant satisfaction of offering genetic counseling as part of clinical care for people with Parkinson's Disease.
• The study will collect clinical information and cheek swab samples from individuals with Parkinson's disease at one virtual visit.
• Video highlighting the experience of participating in PDGENE
• Parkinson’s Foundation Global Genetics Study Hits Enrollment Milestone
• El estudio genético global de la Parkinson's Foundation alcanza un hito en la inscripción
• Contact Lisa Solomon to enroll (ldamron@health.ucsd.edu, 858-822-5873)

Neurodegenerative Disorders Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Biorepository

• This study is investigating potential biomarkers for Parkinsonian disorders by collecting cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that the brain sits in. Samples may also be used for future research.
• The study will collect clinical information and cerebrospinal fluid sample from individuals with any type of Parkinsonian disorder. Non-UCSD patients will first need to be seen at UCSD to confirm the diagnosis and medical history. Participation will include one study visit to complete a lumbar puncture.

Non-Invasive Continuous Ultrasonic Blood Pressure Monitoring

• This research study is evaluating the use of a continuous blood pressure monitor ultrasonic patch to learn more about orthostatic hypotension. The study is recruiting healthy volunteers and individuals with Hypotension, Prehypertension and Stage 1 or 2 hypertension.

Non-Invasive Neurophysiological Characterization of Movement Disorders

• The goal of this study is to learn more about movement disorders including tremor, Parkinson's disease, dystonia, myoclonus, neuromyotonia, ataxia, functional movement disorders, and others using non-invasive neurophysiologic techniques and clinical evaluation.
• The study also aims to teach neurologists in-training as well as other trainees in neurophysiological techniques used in the diagnosis of movement disorders.

Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI)

• This study gathers information over time from people with and without Parkinson’s disease (PD) to learn more about how the disease starts and changes and how to stop it.

• The study is enrolling people diagnosed with Parkinson's within the past two years and not yet taking PD medication,  healthy controls and people with a generalized risk such as first degree biologic relative with PD, known risk of PD including REM behavior disorder, or known genetic variants associated with PD risk; SNCA or rare genetic variants (such as Parkin or Pink1).

• Click here to view the PPMI study flier

WMMS: Development of a Wearable Multi-Modal Monitoring System (WMMS) to Determine Causes of Falls in Parkinson's Disease

• The aim of this study is to develop and test clinical applications of a wearable device that will continuously record multiple physiologic parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, and motion, in patient's real-life settings.
• This study is recruiting participants with Parkinson's disease.

Real-Time Microneedle Sensor Monitoring of Levodopa Levels in Parkinson's disease

• The project aims to develop a continuous, minimally invasive microneedle device called the "Levodopameter" which is designed to continuously measure levodopa levels in real time, with the future goals of identifying an individualized treatment regimen for Parkinson's disease patients to improve disease management.
• This study is recruiting participants with Parkinson's disease as well as healthy volunteers.

 Dementia with Lewy Bodies Consortium

• The purpose of this study is to allow for the discovery of biomarkers and promote additional future research to improve the diagnosis, care and treatment in dementia with Lewy bodies.
• The consortium will collect detailed clinical information, biofluids, imaging data and ultimately autopsy results from individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies, mild cognitive impairment with a high likelihood of dementia with Lewy bodies, or Parkinson's disease dementia. There will be annual visits for up to 5 years. A study partner/caregiver is required.
• Click here to view the study flyer

Ongoing Studies Currently Closed to Enrollment

• The study will evaluate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of prasinezumab compared with placebo in patients with early Parkinson's Disease (PD) over the course of 76 weeks with infusions occurring every 4 weeks.
• Diagnosis of PD within 6 months to 3 years and currently being treated with either an MAO-B inhibitor or levodopa.
• Between the ages of 50-85 years old. 
• Enrollment is currently closed for this study.