Now is the time to join our research team.
If you are interested in joining a particular study, please contact the study coordinator listed below.
Research participation is a generous gift – a gift that can be shared with future generations as we pave the way to new discoveries in treatment and prevention. Research participation contributes to the discovery of new ways to diagnose, treat and support people with Parkinson’s disease.
If you are interested in joining a particular study, please contact the study coordinator listed.
MHealth Research allows patients to learn about some of our current research studies. Just type in a diagnosis in the search box (for example, Parkinson’s disease) and then the list of studies that are currently using this site will pop-up.
Objective: This study will explore how the brain areas important for attention and short-term memory might be contributing to some of the movement issues seen in persons with Parkinson’s Disease. Sessions will involve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Inclusion criteria:
- Parkinson disease (PD) with PD diagnosis based on the recent Movement Disorder Society criteria.
- PD subjects >45 years and <91 will be studied.
- H&Y1-2 (early PD) subjects will be recruited.
- Only PD subjects on stable dopamine replacement therapy will be recruited.
Exclusion criteria:
- The presence of other neurologic disease or neurologic findings on examination.
- Depression: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score >11.
- Evidence of a stroke or mass lesion on prior structural brain imaging (CT or MRI).
- Evidence of any confounding medical or psychiatric problem that would preclude task participation.
- Metallic medical implants (i.e. pacemaker), foreign objects in body, non-removable body-piercings
- Pregnancy
Additional exclusion criteria related to TMS:
- Metal in the cranium (mouth excluded)
- Cardiac pacemaker
- Implanted medication pump
- Implanted deep brain stimulator or vagus nerve stimulator
- Intracardiac lines
- Serious heart disease
- Increased intracranial pressure
- History of seizures
- Epileptogenic medication
- Cochlear implants
- Recent extended air travel resulting in jetlag or other sleep deprived state
Coordinator: Queen Bolden qmbolden@med.umich.edu; Teresa Scerbak tescerba@med.umich.edu
Objective: Advance our understanding of progressive cholinergic changes within specific subcortical and cortical structures subserving cognitive and attentional-motor integration functions in PwP at risk of dementia, balance and gait disturbances.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 45 and above (M/F).
- PD diagnosis (with or without Mild Cognitive Impairment) will follow the Movement Disorder Society-revised clinical diagnostic criteria for PD (7). Absence of dementia confirmed by neuropsychological testing. Modified Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-4 (8, 9).
- All PD subjects are required to have nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation as demonstrated by vesicular monoaminergic transporter type-2 (VMAT) [11C]DTBZ positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. This may be based on a prior DTBZ PET scan or the DTBZ PET scan performed as part of this study.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of clinically significant dementia.
- Disorders which may resemble PD, such as dementia with Lewy bodies, vascular dementia, normal pressure hydrocephalus, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal ganglionic degeneration, or toxic causes of parkinsonism. The use of the Movement Disorder Society-revised clinical diagnostic criteria will mitigate the inclusion of PD subjects with atypical parkinsonism.
- Subjects on neuroleptic, anticholinergic (trihexiphenidyl, benztropine), or cholinesterase inhibitor drugs. Subjects with prior exposure to disallowed medications may be eligible if there has been an interval of > 2 months off these medications.
- Evidence of a large vessel stroke in a clinically relevant area (cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus) or mass lesion on structural brain imaging (MRI or CT).
- Participants in whom MRI is contraindicated including, but not limited to, those with a pacemaker, presence of metallic fragments near the eyes or spinal cord, or cochlear implant.
- Severe claustrophobia precluding MR or PET imaging.
- Subjects limited by previous participation in research procedures involving ionizing radiation.
- Pregnancy (test within 48 hours of each PET session) or breastfeeding.
- History of deep brain stimulation surgery.
- Suicidality (responses 2 or 3 for question 9 on the Beck Depression Inventory).
Coordinator: Fotini Michalakis fotinim@med.umich.edu
Objective: to continue to obtain information from people with and without Parkinson disease so that researchers may better understand how PD progresses, in order to inform better treatments. Study procedures include DaTscan, MRI, Lumbar puncture and skin biopsy.
The PD Cohort of PPMI is now closed. We are still enrolling Healthy Controls and those who have been diagnosed with REM Behavior Sleep Disorder.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 30+ years old for Healthy Controls, 60+ years old for RBD patients
- Must be willing and medically able to hold the following medications for at least 5 half-lives before dopamine imaging: alpha methyldopa, methylphenidate, amphetamine derivatives or modafinil.
- Confirmation that participant is eligible based on Smell Identification Test (UPSIT)
- Confirmation that participant is eligible based on Screening DaTscan imaging
Exclusion:
- Clinical diagnosis of PD at screening, other parkinsonism, or dementia
- Has taken levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors or amantadine within 60 days of Screening visit.
- Received any of the following drugs: dopamine receptor blockers, metoclopramide and reserpine within 6 months of Screening visit.
- Current or active clinically significant neurological disorder (in the opinion of the Investigator).
- Previously obtained MRI scan with evidence of clinically significant neurological disorder
- Current treatment with anticoagulants that might preclude safe completion of the lumbar puncture.
Coordinators: Frank Ferrari frankfer@med.umich.edu; Kim Duval kduval@med.umich.edu; Angela Stovall astovall@med.umich.edu
Objective: To explore how levodopa treatment in PD produces the Long Duration Response (LDR).
Inclusion Criteria:
- PD diagnosis
- Previously untreated
- H&Y I or II
- Age >45 and <81
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of other neurologic disease or findings on examination
- Cognitive impairment: MoCA score of <24
- Depression: GDS score of >5
- Use of dopamine agonists or stimulants
- Evidence of a stroke or mass lesion on prior structural brain imaging (MRI or CT)
- Evidence of any confounding medical or psychiatric problem that would preclude task participation
Procedures:
- Demographic Data
- Clinical Rating Scales: UPDRS, PD-CRS, GDS, Lille Apathy Scale, etc.
- Simple Tests of Motor Function, Motivational Function
Coordinator: Teresa Scerbak tescerba@med.umich.edu
Objective: To evaluate diagnostic performance of free water MR imaging to help with the differential diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Possible/probable MSA-P
- Possible probable PSP
Exclusion:
- Contra-indication to MRI
- Claustrophobia
- Pregnant or nursing women
Coordinator: Jaimie Barr jaimieba@med.umich.edu
Objective: to learn more about the effects of aerobic exercise on people with Parkinson’s disease who have not yet started medication for their PD. It will compare the effects of moderate intensity (60-65% HRmax) treadmill exercise to high intensity (80-85% HRmax) treadmill exercise on the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Inclusion criteria:
- Primary Parkinson’s Disease diagnosed using UK Brain Bank Criteria (< 3 years since diagnosis)
- Age 40-80 years
- Hoehn and Yahr stage less than 3
Exclusion criteria:
- Currently treated with dopaminergic therapies or expected to require such treatment within next 6 months
- Use of PD medication within past 60 days
- Poorly controlled or unstable cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal disease
- Hypertension, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, and/or abnormal renal function. Orthostatic hypotension & standing systolic BP < 100
- Disorders that interfere with ability to perform endurance exercises
- >120 minutes/week moderate intensity endurance exercise for more than 6 months
- MoCA score <26, BDI score >16
- Prior SPECT scan within past 6 months
- Allergy to iodinated products/hypersensitivity to DaTscan™ SPECT
- Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in next 12 months
Coordinator: Jake Fogel jafogel@umich.edu
Inclusion:
• Men and women with a diagnosis of PD based on the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Diagnostic Research Criteria
• Age 45 and older
• Hoehn & Yahr Stages 1-2.5
Exclusion:
• Any recent changes in EKG, history of myocardial infarction or other cardiac event or other cardiac contraindications to exercise
• Inability to use a step, stand, walk, or use a stationary cycle ergometer;
• History of symptoms in exercise that preclude safe and comfortable participation, such as dizziness and lightheadedness, orthostasis, severe symptomatic leg or back musculoskeletal pain, painful neuropathy, significant ankle edema or medication side effects;
• History of symptomatic cardiovascular or pulmonary disease interfering with exercise;
• History of active rheumatoid arthritis;
• History of uncontrolled chronic pain syndrome;
• Any other history of medical or psychiatric comorbidity precluding safe participation in the project;
• Poorly controlled diabetes
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Clinically significant dementia
Coordinator: Austin Luker aluker@med.umich.edu
Inclusion Criteria:
• 45 years or older with PD for 5 or more years
• Has fluctuations with at least 2.5 hours of off-time per day
Exclusion Criteria:
• Taking rescue medications (Inbrija, Apokyn)
• Pharmacologic treatment for OH
• Dementia or MoCA < 23
• Taking antipsychotics including quetiapine
• Significant hypertension, liver or kidney dysfunction, cancer (other than skin cancer) in 5 years
• EKG with normal QTc
Coordinators: Cate Cochren (cathlewi@med.umich.edu) and Angela Stovall (astovall@med.umich.edu)
This is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo control trial to assess Celeste Specialized Phototherapy in treatment of PD symptoms. This device emits a specific frequency of blue and green light, with the primary outcome measure being improvement in the PDQ-39. Participants will need to use the light device for 1 hour in the evening for the duration of the study. This is a 6 mo. trial with ONLY virtual visits for screening, baseline, 3 mo. and 6 mo. Participants are randomized 1:1 to the Celest device or an identical device emitting a non-therapeutic level of light.
Inclusion:
45yo+ with iPD on treatment with good response for at least 1 year.
Stable levodopa dosing for 30 days prior to screening
Exclusion:
Significant eye disease (visual acuity less than 20/60 with correction)
Significant OFF time of dyskinesia that would interfere with ability to participate in therapy
MoCA < 24
Prior light therapy study participation
Current MDD requiring medication changes
Working swing shifts
For interested participants, please send their information through email or provide the following link: https://celestepd.squarespace.com/
You can also use the following dot phrase (LIGHTPD) in their check-out paperwork. This marketing information is IRB approved.
ATLANTIS: A Phase 2 study assessing for safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of a selective positive allosteric modulator of the D1 receptor for the treatment of motor fluctuations. (PI: Wyant)
Inclusion Criteria:
• 45 years or older with PD for 5 or more years
• Has fluctuations with at least 2.5 hours of off-time per day
Exclusion Criteria:
• Taking rescue medications (Inbrija, Apokyn)
• Pharmacologic treatment for OH
• Dementia or MoCA < 23
• Taking antipsychotics including quetiapine
• Significant hypertension, liver or kidney dysfunction, cancer (other than skin cancer) in 5 years
• EKG with normal QTc
Coordinators: Cate Cochren (cathlewi@med.umich.edu) and Angela Stovall (astovall@med.umich.edu)
Objective: To better understand the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for improving alertness in Lewy Body dementia or Parkinson’s Disease dementia.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 50 to 90 years
- Diagnosis of DLB with cognitive fluctuations or PDD
- Currently on a stable dose of cholinesterase inhibitors
Diagnoses:
- PDD: dementia with established PD diagnosis using UKPDSBRC criteria
- Probable DLB: dementia with two of the following: cognitive fluctuations, visual hallucinations, parkinsonism, abnormal DATscan, RBD
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of conditions like stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or severe brain injury
- Contraindication to MRI or tDCS
- Currently taking neuroleptics
Coordinator: Jaimie Barr jaimieba@med.umich.edu
Objective:
The objective is to perform FEOBV PET imaging in patients with atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS) such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and compare cholinergic system changes between the different APS.
Inclusion criteria:
(a) Age 50 and above, Male or Female.
(b) DLB patients that meet the Fourth consensus report of the DLB Consortium inclusion criteria for
probable DLB.
(c) MSA and PSP subjects with a possible or probable diagnosis.
Exclusion criteria:
(a) Subjects with contra-indications to MR imaging, including pacemakers or claustrophobia,
(b) Evidence of large vessel stroke or mass lesion on MRI,
(c) Use of anti-cholinergic or neuroleptic drugs,
(d) Major psychiatric illness, such as bipolar disorder,
(e) pregnancy,
(f) Neurological conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or moderate to severe brain injury
(g) Sensory impairments that significantly limit one’s ability to see or hear,
(h) significant history of recent alcohol or drug dependence,
(I) Previous major radiation exposure.
Coordinator: Jaimie Barr jaimieba@med.umich.edu
Objective: Worldwide longitudinal observational study of Huntington’s disease (HD) whose overarching goal is to accelerate progress towards the development of effective therapeutics for HD
Inclusion Criteria:
- Carriers:
- Individuals who carry the HD gene expansion mutation (stage 1 and 2 only)
- Controls:
- Individuals who do not carry the HD expansion mutation
- First or second degree relatives to a carrier;
- Family members or individuals not related by blood to carriers (e.g. spouses, caregivers); or
- Community controls, which are individuals unrelated to HD carriers who did not grow up in a family affected by HD
- Individuals who do not carry the HD expansion mutation
Exclusion Criteria:
- Individuals with choreic movement disorders in the context of a negative test for the HD gene mutation
- For community controls: individuals with a major central nervous system disorder (e.g. stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.)
Coordinator: PMR-CODALab@med.umich.edu