Research | Parkinson's Foundation
Groundbreaking research on Parkinson's Disease
The Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence is dedicated to advancing knowledge and treatment of Parkinson’s disease through innovative, patient-centered research. Investigators explore the underlying biology of the disease, test new therapeutic strategies, and study the impact of Parkinson’s on daily life and long-term health outcomes. By integrating laboratory discoveries with clinical trials and community-based studies, the center fosters a comprehensive approach that accelerates the development of improved treatments and care strategies. Collaboration with patients, families, and multidisciplinary experts ensures that research findings translate directly into meaningful improvements in quality of life for those affected by Parkinson’s disease.
Currently Enrolling Studies
exPDite-2 is a double-blind, simulated surgery-controlled phase 3 study evaluating the potential efficacy and safety of an investigational cell therapy called bemdaneprocel. Bemdaneprocel is a cell therapy designed to potentially replace the dopamine-producing neurons that are lost in Parkinson’s disease with the aim of engrafting into the brain to restore dopaminergic function.
Eligible participants in this study must be between the ages of 45-75, have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease between 4-12 years ago, be taking a dose of levodopa at least three times per day, but still have daily "off" time. This study will run for 5 to 8 years depending on the group participants are randomized to. This study requires participants to travel to different locations for the surgery and for some of the imaging assessments.
For more information:
BlueRock Therapeutics – exPDite-2 Study for Parkinson's disease
Contact: Frank Ferrari [email protected] or Angela Stoval [email protected]
The goal of this study is to test whether Varenicline (compared to placebo—i.e. a sugar pill) reduces fall risk in certain people with Parkinson disease (PD).
Participation in the study will take place over 13.5 months. The screening visit is expected to take 1-2 days but may be divided into more days depending on your scheduling preferences. The in-person visits at months 6 and 12 are each expected to take one full day. The phone visits are expected to take about 20 minutes each.
We are hoping to enroll people with Parkinson disease in this study who also meet a few other criteria:
• They have some cognitive changes but are not as impaired as people who have dementia.
• They have reduced acetylcholine in a specific part of the brain found on a type of imaging called positron emission tomography (“PET” imaging).
• They are 45 years or older
• They have a legally authorized representative who can help provide documented informed consent or they have good enough understanding of the study themselves to pass a formal quiz about the study
Contact: Dawn Keys [email protected]
ACCOMPLISH-PD:
Phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of two doses of
AP-472 as adjunctive therapy to levodopa in Parkinson’s disease (PD) participants with motor
fluctuations
The main goal of this study is to find out whether AP-472 can help reduce the amount of time
each day participants spend in the “OFF” state when PD symptoms return, compared to
placebo.
AP-472 works differently from most PD medications. It acts on a natural chemical system in the
brain called metabotropic glutamate type-4 (mGlu4) receptors. These receptors help control
how brain cells send signals to each other. In PD, the loss of dopamine changes the balance
between brain signals, causing stiffness, slowness, and movement problems. By acting on the
mGlu4 receptors, AP-472 may help restore this balance and improve movement control. It may
also help reduce unwanted involuntary movements (dyskinesias) that can happen with long-term
levodopa use.
For more information:
Contact: Angela Stovall [email protected]
Study ID: HUM00287980 IRB: IRBMED Date Approved: 7/9/2026 Expiration Date: 7/8/2027
