Clinical Research Directory

Lemborexant on Perioperative Sleep Quality in Patients With Parkinson's Disease Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation

This study tests whether lemborexant, an approved sleep medicine, can improve sleep and recovery in people with Parkinson's disease undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. Sleep problems are common around surgery and may worsen pain and slow recovery. Participants will be randomly assigned to take lemborexant or a placebo the night before surgery. Researchers will compare anesthesia use, wake-up time, sleep quality (objective and subjective), pain, recovery, and blood markers. The study will show whether lemborexant is safe and helpful for this group.

Parkinson's Disease in Type 1 Gaucher Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related movement disorder with a complex pathophysiology. Among the risk factors for PD, variants in beta-glucocerebrosidase (encoded by the gene GBA1) represent one of the most significant heritable risk factors for lifetime PD risk. Biallelic variants in GBA1 cause Gaucher disease (GD), a multisystem disorder, and individuals with late/adult-onset GD1 have a \~1-in-9 lifetime risk for PD. This study aims to develop a cross-sectional cohort of clinical and laboratory phenotyped adult GD1 patients and controls for investigation of clinical/laboratory risk factors for current and future Parkinson risk. Neurological evaluations will be video and audio recorded to allow the investigators to quantify neurological function using automated tools. Data and specimens generated in this study will be incorporated into a de-identified biobank that will be used for further research into GD and PD.

MENA/Levant Epidemiological, Registry of Immunological & Clinical Traits (MERIT)

The primary objective of this multicenter observational registry is to characterize the clinical, epidemiological, and biological profiles of individuals of Middle Eastern, North African, and Levantine ancestry, including individuals with chronic medical conditions and healthy volunteers. The registry will collect standardized clinical and participant-reported data, along with biological samples, to support the investigation of disease patterns, health-related characteristics, and population-specific biological and immunological profiles in populations historically underrepresented in biomedical research. The resulting data and samples may support future research into disease-associated biomarkers and underlying biological mechanisms.

Multimodal Rehabilitation and Balance Assessment in Parkinson's Disease

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between instrumented balance measurements and clinical balance assessments in individuals with Parkinson's disease and to evaluate changes in balance and functional mobility following a 12-week multimodal rehabilitation program. Eighteen individuals with Parkinson's disease participated in this prospective, single-group study. All participants received a rehabilitation program that included balance exercises, aerobic exercise, and balance training using the Korebalance system. The program was conducted twice weekly for 12 weeks. Balance was assessed using the Korebalance system and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Functional mobility was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Assessments were performed before and after the rehabilitation program. The study examined whether instrumented balance measurements were associated with clinical balance performance and whether balance and functional mobility changed following rehabilitation.

Passive Versus Active Music Therapy Parkinson's Disease

The purpose of this pilot study is to identify the effects of active versus passive music therapy on functional ability and psychophysiological responses to goal-directed exercise in people with Parkinson's disease.

Probing Gut-Brain Communication in Parkinson's Disease

Administering transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease to see how it affects stomach and brain activity.

Short Term Effects of a Multimodal Intervention With RGM on Cognition in People With Parkinson's Disease.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the Ronnie Gardiner Method (RGM) works to improve cognitive functions in adults with Parkinson's disease (early to mid-stage). It will also learn about the secondary effects on speech, mobility, balance, and mood. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does a 10-week RGM intervention improve cognitive aspects, speech (indirectly through improved breathing), mobility, and balance in participants with Parkinson's disease? * How do participants experience the intensity, difficulty, and emotional impact of the RGM sessions?

Artificial Intelligence-based Parkinson's Disease Risk Assessment (AI-PRA) Study

The study aims to provide initial proof-of-concept validation data of an artificial intelligence-based model to estimate individual Parkinson's disease risk using demographic, clinical, genetic information and digital biomarker data collected via a smartwatch and a mobile application.

Real-world Patient Experiences With Inbrija®

Parkinson's disease can cause OFF episodes, when medication effects wear off and symptoms return, affecting movement, daily activities, comfort, and wellbeing. This study aims to explore the experiences of people with Parkinson's disease who are prescribed Inbrija® as part of their usual care. Through a mixed-methods approach, the study will examine how OFF episodes affect patients, what influences their decision to use Inbrija®, and whether patient-reported outcomes related to symptoms, daily functioning, and quality of life change during the first 3 months of treatment. The study is planned to be conducted at approximately 7 sites in Austria, Germany, and Sweden and will enroll up to 120 participants receiving Inbrija® in routine clinical practice.

Effects of Excitatory and Inhibitory LIFUS of GPi in Parkinsonian Patients Without DBS

Low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS) is a novel non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technique that permits stimulation with high spatial focality and can reach greater depth compared other methods. This study will look at the effects of two different LIFUS stimulations on task performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. The effects of real stimulation will also be compared to sham stimulation. The evaluations will include behavioral tasks on the computer, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scoring, and finger accelerometry recordings. These will be done before the LIFUS simulations and repeated after. This is to evaluate the different mechanisms and efficacy of these stimulations on deep brain areas.

Bayesian Optimization of DBS for Gait

This project aims to establish the feasibility of Bayesian optimization for tuning deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat gait symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Our primary question is: Can Bayesian optimization of DBS achieve reproducible results within a feasible number of gait measurements? PD patients will be enrolled who have DBS of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) or globus pallidus (GP) in whom at least 3 months have passed since activation of their neurostimulators, for stabilization of clinical stimulator settings. We will apply Bayesian optimization to derive DBS settings which maximally lengthen step length relative to the OFF DBS state.

Acute Effects of Capacitive-Resistive Radiofrequency Therapy in People With Parkinson's Disease

This study will investigate the immediate and short-term effects of capacitive-resistive radiofrequency therapy (TECAR) applied to the lower limbs in people with Parkinson's disease. The main aim is to determine which of four different TECAR application protocols produces the greatest improvement in muscle stiffness and walking function. Twenty participants with Parkinson's disease will receive four different TECAR protocols in four separate sessions. The protocols will include capacitive treatment, resistive treatment, and two combinations of capacitive and resistive treatment. Each participant will receive all four protocols, and the order in which they are applied will be randomized. Sessions will be separated by a 7-day washout period. Muscle stiffness will be measured using the MyotonPRO device. Walking and functional mobility will also be assessed using the Timed Up and Go test and the 10-Metre Walk Test. Joint range of motion and lower-limb musculoskeletal pain will also be evaluated. Measurements will be performed immediately before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after each session. The study will also record any discomfort or adverse events associated with TECAR therapy to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the different treatment protocols.

GBPDC: Gut-Brain in PD Consortium Master Protocol

The purpose of this research study is to identify the role that the gut-brain axis, the group of nerves that connect the brain and gut, plays in Parkinson's disease (PD). The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases is sponsoring this research study. During this study, specific groups of participants, also known as "cohorts", will be identified based on the severity of their PD. There will also be a cohort enrolling participants who do not have Parkinson's and a cohort enrolling participants that are at risk for developing PD. Each of these cohorts will be compared to the others to assess the differences in the gut-brain connection. Participants in this study will: * meet with a medical provider * answer questionnaires * give samples of blood, stool, and saliva * have X-rays taken while swallowing different foods (swallowing study) * have X-rays taken to see how long it takes markers to move through their colon (colon transit study) * have a flexible sigmoidoscopy, where a doctor looks inside the lower part of the colon and takes small tissue samples (biopsies) from the mucosa (lining) * have samples taken of their skin * have an anorectal manometry and a balloon expulsion test, where a small tube and balloon are placed in the rectum to measure muscle function. Participation in the study will last up to 24 months (2 years).

Assessment of the Safety, Immunogenicity, and Pharmacodynamics of TRB-001 in Patients With Early Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease

This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-finding phase 1b study with the purpose to assess the safety, immunogenicity and pharmacodynamics of TRB-001 in early idiopathic Parkinson's Disease patients.

Effects of Transcutaneous Cervical Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Non-motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if home-based transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation (tcVNS) can improve symptoms in adults with Parkinson's disease. tcVNS uses a small portable device placed on the skin of the left side of the neck to deliver mild electrical stimulation. It does not require surgery or anesthesia. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does tcVNS reduce non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as sleep problems, low mood, anxiety, digestive problems, and fatigue? * Does tcVNS change movement symptoms, memory and thinking, brain wave activity, heart rhythm patterns, and markers of inflammation in the blood? * Can participants use the device safely on their own at home every day, and what medical problems do they have while using it? Everyone in this study will use the same stimulation device. There is no placebo group. Researchers will compare each participant's own measurements taken before stimulation, after 4 weeks of stimulation, and again after a 4-week break, to see whether symptoms change and whether any change lasts. Participants will: * Use the stimulation device on the neck for 30 minutes once a day, at home, every day for 4 weeks. The first session is done at the clinic with study staff, who teach participants how to use the device. * Visit the clinic 6 times over about 9 weeks for physical and neurological checkups, questionnaires about their symptoms, memory and thinking tests, brain wave recordings (EEG), and heart rhythm recordings (HRV). * Give a blood sample of about 10 mL at 3 of the visits (about 30 mL in total) so researchers can measure markers of inflammation. * Have a brain MRI scan at 2 of the visits, at centers where MRI is available. * Keep a record of their device use in a paper diary or a smartphone app. The device also records use times automatically.

Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)-Primed Self-controlled Practice in People With Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is commonly associated with impaired motor learning and reduced motivation, both of which can negatively influence rehabilitation outcomes. Prior cross-sectional evidence suggests that providing individuals with PD self-controlled access to training parameters enhances motor learning, increases motivation, and facilitates cognitive processing. However, the effects of self-controlled practice implemented across repeated training sessions remain underexplored. Moreover, given that dysfunction of fronto-striatal circuits in PD may limit the neuroplastic response to motor training alone, adjunctive neuromodulatory priming approaches such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may be required to optimize therapeutic efficacy. To date, it remains unclear whether rTMS priming combined with self-controlled motor training yields superior clinical benefits, and whether stimulation of different cortical targets produces differential effects. In particular, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a key region involved in cognitive control and motivation, may offer distinct therapeutic effects compared with stimulation of the primary motor cortex (M1). This study aims to investigate the effects of rTMS priming over the DLPFC or M1, followed by self-controlled motor training, in individuals with PD, and to compare these effects with a sham stimulation condition. This single-blinded, randomized control trial will recruit 90 individuals with PD, who will be matched into 45 pairs and randomly assigned to one of three stimulation conditions: DLPFC, M1, or sham. Within each pair, one participant will be allocated to a self-controlled practice condition, and the other to a yoked (paired-control) condition that receives identical training content determined by their matched counterpart. Each participant will undergo 12 intervention sessions. In each session, rTMS will be applied first as a priming intervention, followed immediately by 45 minutes of standardized physical therapy-based motor training. For the DLPFC group, stimulation will target the left DLPFC; for the M1 group, stimulation will be applied over the M1 contralateral to the more affected limb; and for the sham condition, the coil will be rotated 90 degrees to mimic stimulation without effective cortical activation. During the training phase, participants in the self-controlled condition will be allowed to select aspects of their practice content, whereas yoked participants will follow the corresponding selections made by their matched partner. The primary outcome measure is the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Secondary outcomes include assessments of cognitive function, apathy, non-motor symptoms, gait performance, balance, functional mobility, falls efficacy, and quality of life. Neurophysiological outcomes will be assessed using single- and paired-pulse TMS to evaluate corticospinal excitability and cortico-cortical connectivity, particularly between DLPFC and M1 networks. All assessments will be conducted in the medication-on state by blinded evaluators at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at one-month follow-up. Data will be analyzed using mixed-effects repeated-measures ANOVA to examine group-by-time interactions and intervention effects. This study seeks to determine whether rTMS priming over cognitive-control versus motor networks differentially enhances the efficacy of self-controlled motor training, and whether such combined interventions can induce sustained improvements in motor and non-motor outcomes in PD.

MRI-Guided Temporal Interference Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tTIS treatment in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The study will enroll eligible PD patients and randomly assign them to two groups: Group A will first receive combined GPi and STN stimulation, followed by GPi stimulation one week later; Group B will first receive GPi stimulation, followed by combined GPi and STN stimulation one week later. The MDS-UPDRS Part III will be assessed at pre-stimulation baseline, immediately after stimulation, and at 30 and 60 minutes post-stimulation for each session, in order to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of tTIS targeting GPi alone versus combined GPi and STN stimulation on motor symptoms in PD patients, and to assess the differential efficacy of tTIS at different targets among PD patients with varying symptoms.

A Non-Interventional Pilot Study to Explore the Role of Gut Flora in Disease

This study seeks to correlate microbiome sequencing data with information provided by patients and their medical records.

The Effect of Beechband on Parkinson's Symptoms

Parkinson's disease can affect movement, balance, and everyday activities. The Beechband is a wrist-worn device that provides intermittent vibrations. Some people have reported improvements in symptoms while wearing the device, but there is currently little scientific evidence to support these reports. This pilot study will explore whether movement symptoms and participants' perceptions of their symptoms change after wearing the Beechband for 6 or 12 weeks. Approximately 60 people with Parkinson's disease will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will wear the Beechband for 12 weeks. The other group will continue their usual activities without the Beechband for the first 6 weeks and will then wear it for the following 6 weeks. Participants will be asked to wear the device for approximately 6 hours each day during their assigned wearing period. Assessments will be conducted remotely by video call at the beginning of the study and after 6 and 12 weeks. They will include measures of movement and balance, a timed walking task, and questionnaires about symptoms and everyday experiences. Device use and any unwanted or unexpected effects will also be recorded. The study is intended to estimate the size of any possible changes and assess the feasibility of a future larger clinical trial. It is not designed to provide definitive evidence that the Beechband is effective.

Digital Patient Engagement in Technology-Supported Neurorehabilitation

The goal of this observational study is to investigate digital patient engagement and its psychosocial correlates and potential predictors among adults aged 18-85 years with neurological disorders who are undergoing technology-supported neurorehabilitation using robotic systems for upper-limb training and/or virtual reality-based technologies. Specifically, the study will examine the roles of hope and the quality of the patient-healthcare professional relationship as the potential predictors of engagement with rehabilitation technologies. It will also explore the contribution of disease-management self-efficacy, technology anxiety, and sociodemographic, clinical, functional, and rehabilitation-related characteristics. Finally, the study will examine whether digital patient engagement predicts the perceived psychosocial impact of rehabilitation technologies, behavioural intention to continue using them, and overall satisfaction with the rehabilitation pathway. Participants will: * continue their standard neurorehabilitation pathway without any modification to routine clinical procedures; * complete a computerized self-report questionnaire via the Qualtrics digital platform at a single time point after completing at least three rehabilitation sessions using the technologies under study. No experimental intervention, comparison group, or follow-up assessment is planned.

Comparison of Benzhexol and Procyclidine for Tremor in Tremor-Predominant Parkinson's Disease

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare benzhexol and procyclidine for improving tremor in adults with tremor-predominant Parkinson's disease who are taking levodopa. Researchers will compare the two medicines to determine whether benzhexol provides similar improvement in tremor to procyclidine and to assess their side effects. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either benzhexol or procyclidine in addition to their usual levodopa treatment. Motor symptoms and side effects will be assessed before treatment and at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.

Synthetic Vasomotion for Glymphatic Enhancement

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn whether a week-long study combining controlled breathing procedures, intermittent exposure to a low-concentration carbon dioxide gas mixture, and noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation can be carried out safely and comfortably in adults with early-stage Parkinson's disease and age-matched healthy adults. The study will also explore how these procedures affect physiological signals related to breathing, cardiovascular and autonomic function, brain activity, and physiological processes thought to be related to fluid movement in and around the brain. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Can participants safely and comfortably complete the study procedures and at-home monitoring? * Do physiological responses differ when intermittent hypercapnia is paired with active noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation compared with sham stimulation? * Are changes measured during the intervention visits related to overnight physiological measurements and changes in blood-based biomarkers? Researchers will compare active and sham noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation within the same participants. Both conditions will be paired with guided breathing and intermittent hypercapnia, in which participants briefly breathe a controlled gas mixture containing 5% carbon dioxide. Participants will: * Complete an intake and baseline visit and several nights of at-home physiological monitoring. * Complete two intervention visits in randomized order, one using active vagus nerve stimulation and one using sham stimulation. * Complete guided breathing and intermittent hypercapnia procedures while respiratory, cardiovascular, and other physiological signals are monitored. * Provide blood samples before and after intervention procedures for exploratory biomarker measurements. This is an exploratory pilot study. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent Parkinson's disease or any other medical condition.

Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease: Interest of an Early Group-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation Program (LIFECOG-PD)

Current pharmacological treatments have not demonstrated significant improvement in cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD). Given the high prevalence and serious impact of cognitive impairment in PD, there is a pressing need for non-pharmacological interventions with demonstrated functional benefits. Cognitive rehabilitation is a structured program designed to help improve or compensate for patients' cognitive abilities by providing an approach tailored to each patient's individual needs and goals. Neuropsychologists from French Parkinson's Disease expert centers have developed a new cognitive rehabilitation program called LifeCOG-PD, for PD patients with a subjective cognitive complaint or a mild cognitive impairment (MCI), delivered at the hospital in seven 90-minute sessions conducted in groups of 3-4 participants. This program, combining psychoeducation, practical strategies, and personalized goal setting, aims to maintain patients' daily autonomy, enhance quality of life, and delay the cognitive impact of the disease. By evaluating feasibility, acceptability and functional outcomes, this study will contribute critical data to inform future PD management guidelines to help support autonomy and cognitive resilience in PD.

Effect of Motor Imagery Added to Rehabilitation on Balance and Kinesiophobia in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive brain disorder that affects movement and balance. It can cause slowed movements, stiffness, tremor, balance problems, and an increased risk of falling. Many individuals with PD develop fear of movement, also referred to as kinesiophobia, and fear of falling. This condition may lead to avoidance of physical activity, which can further worsen balance and movement abilities. This study aims to determine whether adding Motor Imagery (MI) to a standard rehabilitation program can improve balance and reduce fear of movement in individuals with PD. MI is a mental practice technique in which an individual rehearses movements cognitively without actual physical execution. For example, a person may imagine standing up, walking, or climbing stairs. Although the movement is not physically performed, the brain regions involved in movement are activated. MI is safe, does not require special equipment, and may help improve motor control. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive standard physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises, while the other group will receive the same therapy combined with additional MI training. The rehabilitation program will last six weeks. The study will primarily evaluate whether this combined approach improves balance and reduces fear of movement. In addition, the potential effects of the intervention on fall risk, functional mobility and performance, fear of falling, activities of daily living, and motor function will also be examined. Assessments will be performed at the beginning of the study, at the end of treatment, and again at 12 weeks. Researchers hope to determine whether combining MI with conventional rehabilitation provides greater benefits than conventional rehabilitation alone and may help improve rehabilitation strategies for people living with PD.