Research
Medical advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) offer hope to patients and families while also guiding the treatment plans developed by our team PD specialists. That's why the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center at BIDMC actively participates in multi-center clinical trials evaluating new treatments for PD. There is no cost to you for study-related care.
- We are members of the Parkinson Study Group, a national consortium of PD centers that carries out multi-center clinical trials of new medications for the treatment of PD.
- We participate in several other leading-edge clinical research studies of new medications for PD.
- We are actively participating in a National Institutes of Health initiative to identify therapies that may slow the progression of PD.
- We are a National Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, which provides us with access to funding for clinical research, community outreach, and educational projects.
For questions and to determine your eligibility in any of our studies, please call Hannah Babcock at 617-667-9890.
Enrolling Studies
Intervention Trials
The Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center is seeking clinical trial volunteers with early-stage Parkinson’s disease to participate in a study of an investigational drug called BIIB122 to see if it may slow the progression of PD. Patients who enroll in this study must have been diagnosed with PD within the past 2 years. Participants will receive the study drug for up to 146 weeks.
Inclusion Criteria
- Age 30 to 80
- Have been diagnosed with PD within the past 2 years
- Not currently taking levodopa and certain other PD medications (*exceptions may apply. Contact the study team for further details)
- Genetic testing results verifying the absence of a pathogenic LRRK2 variant
Exclusion Criteria
- Clinically significant neurological disorder other than PD
- Surgical intervention for PD
Other inclusion and exclusion criteria apply. For more information, contact Hannah Babcock at 617-667-9890 or hbabcock@bidmc.harvard.edu.
The Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center is seeking clinical trial volunteers with Parkinson’s disease and a pathogenic variant in the GBA1 gene to participate in a study of an investigational drug called BIA 28-6156 as a potential treatment for PD. Patients who enroll in this study must have been diagnosed with PD within the past 7 years. The first part of the study will include free genetic screening to identify PD patients with a variant in the GBA1 gene. In the second part of the study, those patients who are confirmed to have a variant in the GBA1 gene will receive either the study drug or placebo treatment for up to 78 weeks.
Inclusion Criteria
- Age 35 to 80
- Genetic testing results verifying a known GBA-PD risk-associated variant
- Currently receiving symptomatic treatment for PD and on a stable dose of PD medications for at least 30 days
Exclusion Criteria
- Diagnosis of atypical or secondary Parkinsonism
- History of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery
Other inclusion and exclusion criteria apply. For more information, contact Clemi Ullman at 617-667-2355 or cullman@bidmc.harvard.edu.
The TOPAZ study is done from your home! TOPAZ is a clinical trial that will test if zoledronic acid can prevent fractures in people with Parkinson’s Disease and parkinsonism.
You may be able to join if you…
- Have Parkinson’s Disease or parkinsonism
- Are 60 years or older
- Have not had a hip fracture
To join or learn more, visit topaz.eurekaplatform.org and enter invitation code BIDMC or call 617-667-9885.
The purpose of this international study is to evaluate long-term safety and effectiveness of Abbott deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems for all indications, including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor or other disabling tremor and dystonia. This study will enroll male and female subjects diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor or other disabling tremor, or dystonia who are scheduled for a new implant or IPG device replacement surgery with a market-released Abbott DBS system.
Inclusion Criteria
- Subject is scheduled for a new implant or IPG device replacement surgery with a market-released Abbott DBS system within 180 days.
- Subject, or a legally acceptable representative, must provide written informed consent prior to any study-related procedure.
Exclusion Criteria
- Subject is currently enrolled or plans to enroll in an investigational study that may confound the results of this study.
- Subject has anatomic or comorbid conditions, or other medical, social, or psychological conditions that, in the investigator's opinion, could limit the subject's ability to participate in the study or to comply with follow-up requirements, or impact the scientific soundness of the study results.
- Study center is located in the United States, and indication for DBS implant is not Parkinson's disease or disabling tremor.
- Study center is located in the United States, and the intended lead implant location is not at, or in close proximity to, the STN, GPi, or VIM thalamus.
Contact Hannah Babcock at hbabcock@bidmc.harvard.edu for more information.
Non-Intervention Studies
The Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center is seeking people with Parkinson’s disease or parkinsonism to be included in a research database. We would use this database to follow you over time and allow us to inform you about any relevant research opportunities.
Inclusion Criteria
- Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or parkinsonism
- At least 18 years old
For more information, or if you are interested in participating, contact Áine Russell at arussel2@bidmc.harvard.edu or call 617-667-2351.
This national initiative, sponsored by the Parkinson’s Foundation, offers genetic testing for clinically relevant Parkinson’s-related genes and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson’s disease. Genetic testing can be a powerful tool to uncover biological pathways that cause Parkinson’s disease (PD), and this understanding can lead to improved treatments and care for all people with Parkinson’s. Understanding genetic differences across people with Parkinson’s can help identify clues about how and why a person’s experience with the disease differs from others. Genetic testing can also help people with PD and their clinicians identify whether they may qualify for enrollment in certain clinical trials.
People diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease are potentially eligible to participate. Participants will undergo a buccal swab collection, and the sample will be sent to a central laboratory for genetic testing. The Parkinson’s Foundation will provide genetic counseling to explain the results of the test.
For more information, or if you are interested in participating, contact Hannah Babcock at hbabcock@bidmc.harvard.edu or call 617-667-9890.
We are seeking volunteers who have been diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The purpose of this study is to establish biomarkers for both speech and language deficiencies in neurodegenerative diseases using a Speech application. This is an exploratory study to determine whether markers of speech and language are able to distinguish participants and healthy controls or capture disease progression. A key secondary aim is to determine whether these speech and language biomarkers are associated with cognitive changes in these participants.
Inclusion Criteria
- Age 18 and older
- Have been diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Exclusion Criteria
- Individuals with any other form of dysarthria not related to HD, PD, or MCI (acquired, developmental or trauma-related)
Other inclusion and exclusion criteria apply. For more information, contact Áine Russell at 617-667-2351 or arussel2@bidmc.harvard.edu