Research Studies: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

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

ARTFL LEFFTDS Longitudinal Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (ALLFTD)

• This is a 5-year longitudinal investigating the best method of analysis to track patients with corticobasal syndrome (CBS), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), behavioral variant of frontotemporal degeneration (bvFTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and other forms of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with the overall goal to prepare for treatment trials. The study will track familial FTD, sporadic FTD as well as asymptomatic participants with a strong history of familial FTD. The results will provide information about the value of novel imaging techniques for diagnosis and value of novel imaging techniques in comparison to biofluid biomarkers.

• The study will collect detailed clinical information, biofluids, and imaging data from participants at baseline and every year after that for 4 years or until the study concludes. A study partner/caregiver is required.

Ongoing Studies Currently Closed to Enrollment

RT-QuIC: Premortem detection of misfolded proteins in biopsy skin samples and saliva in parkinsonism

• The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of a procedure called a skin punch biopsy to lead to an earlier diagnosis. Skin biopsy could be a useful way to diagnose and measure the severity of these conditions.

• Participation in this study would involve one visit lasting about 3 hours for a physical exam, questionnaires, a memory test, a punch skin biopsy, and blood draw.

4-Repeat Tauopathy Neuroimaging Initiative - Cycle 2 (4RTNI-2)

• This study is investigating the best method of analysis to track patients with corticobasal syndrome (CBS), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and oligo- or variant-progressive supranuclear palsy (o/vPSP). The results will provide information about the value of novel imaging techniques for diagnosis and value of novel imaging techniques in comparison to biofluid biomarkers.

• The study will collect detailed clinical information, biofluids, and imaging data from individuals with corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy. There will be one visit every six months for a year (a total of three visits over one year). Oligo- or variant- progressive supranuclear palsy, and healthy participants will be asked for an additional visit approximately one year after the third visit (adding up to four visits over two years). A study partner/caregiver is required.