Bethesda, MDNCT02119611Now EnrollingIRB Ready

Parkinson's Disease Clinical Trial in Bethesda, MD

Access cutting-edge parkinson's disease treatment through this clinical trial at a research site in Bethesda. Study-provided care at no cost to qualified participants.

Sponsored by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Quick Self-Assessment

See if you qualify for this Bethesda location

Preparing your pre-screening questions…

Expert Care in Bethesda

Access parkinson's disease specialists at no cost

IRB Approved

This study follows strict safety protocols and ethical guidelines

No-Cost Care

All study-related parkinson's disease treatment provided free

Apply for This Bethesda Location

Check if you qualify for this parkinson's disease clinical trial in Bethesda, MD

Secure & Confidential

Your information is protected and will only be shared with the research team.

Why Participate?

  • No-Cost Study Care

  • Local to Bethesda

    Convenient for MD residents

  • Cutting-Edge Treatment

    Access to innovative therapies

  • Expert Medical Care

    Close monitoring by specialists

  • Possible Compensation*

    For time and travel

*Compensation varies by study. Confirm details with coordinator.

Simple Process

  1. 1Submit this form
  2. 2Phone screening
  3. 3Visit Bethesda site if eligible
  4. 4Begin participation

About This Parkinson's Disease Study in Bethesda

Background: \- In deep brain stimulation (DBS), a device called a neurostimulator is placed in the chest. It is attached to wires in parts of the brain that affect movement. DBS might help people with movement disorders like Parkinson s disease (PD), dystonia, and essential tremor (ET). Objective: \- To provide DBS treatment to people with some movement disorders. Eligibility: \- Adults 18 years and older with PD, ET, or certain forms of dystonia. Design: * Participants will be screened with medical history and physical exam. They will have blood and urine tests and: * MRI brain scan. The participant will lie on a table that slides in and out of a metal cylinder with a magnetic field. They will be in the scanner about 60 minutes. They will get earplugs for the loud noises. During part of the MRI, a needle will guide a thin plastic tube into an arm vein and a dye will be injected. * Electrocardiogram. Metal disks or sticky pads will be placed on the chest, arms, and legs. They record heart activity. * Chest X-ray. * Tests of memory, attention, concentration, thinking, and movement. * Eligible participants will have DBS surgery. The surgery and hospital care afterward are NOT part of this protocol. * Study doctors will see participants 3 4 weeks after surgery to turn on the neurostimulator. * Participants will return every month for 3 months, then every 3 months during the first year, and every 6 months during the second year. Each time, participants will be examined and answer questions. DBS placement will be evaluated with MRI. The neurostimulator will be programmed. At two visits, participants will have tests of movements, thinking, and memory.

Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Who Can Participate

Inclusion Criteria

To be eligible for entry into the study, candidates must meet all the following criteria:
Be 18 years of age or older.
Able to comply with study procedures and provide informed consent.
Have a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD, primary dystonia, or ET:
The diagnosis of idiopathic PD will be based on the UK Brain Bank Criteria, and confirmed by the Movement Disorders Neurologists in the NIH Parkinson Clinic.
The diagnosis of primary (generalized or segmental), hemidystonia, or cervical dystonia will be confirmed on clinical examination in the NIH Movement Disorders Clinic.
The diagnosis of ET will be confirmed on clinical examination in the NIH Movement Disorders Clinic (the diagnosis of ET will be based on bilateral, largely symmetric postural or kinetic tremor involving hands and forearms that is visible and persistent. Additional or isolated tremor in head may be present but there should be the absence of abnormal posturing).
a. History of appropriate response to dopaminergic medication, with at least a 30% improvement in motor UPDRS with L-DOPA by history or in-clinic testing, for the PD patients. OR b.Patients with tremor-dominant PD that do not respond to dopaminergic therapy and that exhibit a tremor score of at least 2 for tremor severity on at least one side of the body on the motor UPDRS examination.
Unsatisfactory clinical response to maximal medical management (with trials of both higher and lower doses of drugs), including: For PD patients:
good benefit from dopaminergic medication but associated with insufficient duration of action or unacceptable side-effects OR
intractable disabling motor fluctuations (severe off periods, dyskinesias, or freezing spells) OR For ET and dystonia:
intractable symptoms of ET or dystonia impacting at least 2 activities of daily living.
Interested in being evaluated to undergo DBS, if indicated, to treat medically refractory movement disorder or
Patients already implanted with DBS for continued management (Note: Inclusion criteria 4 and 5 can be met by historical report in patients who had DBS implanted outside the NIH)

Exclusion Criteria

For those who have not had DBS: Candidates will be excluded if they meet any of the following criteria:
Clinically significant medical disease that would increase the risk of developing pre- or postoperative complications, including but not limited to uncontrolled systemic hypertension with values above 170/100; unstable heart disease; unstable respiratory disease; uncorrected coagulation abnormalities or need for therapeutic anticoagulation which cannot be interrupted;
Evidence of secondary or atypical parkinsonism/dystonia/tremor as suggested by:
History of stroke, exposure to toxins, neuroleptics, or encephalitis
Neurologic signs of upper motor neuron or cerebellar involvement, supranuclear gaze palsy, or multiple systems atrophy.
MR-imaging with evidence indicative of secondary disease such as tumor, or stroke, which could cause the movement disorder.
Dementia as evidenced by formal neuropsychological evaluation, Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS-2) score, and clinical evaluations.
Unable to complete cognitive assessments and testing necessary to adequately evaluate risks and benefits of surgery.
Clinically signficiant or unstable psychiatric disorder such as severe depression or anxiety, which, in the opinion of the investigators would increase the risk of developing postoperative complications.
Unable to undergo MR-imaging because of implanted pacemakers, medication pumps, aneurysm clips, metallic prostheses (including metal pins and rods, heart valves or cochlear implants), shrapnel fragments, permanent eye liner or small metal fragments in the eye that welders and other metal workers may have, or if candidates are uncomfortable in small closed spaces (have claustrophobia), or cannot lie comfortably on their back for up to one hour.
Pregnant women.
Otherwise not eligible for DBS surgery, for example known inability to undergo anesthesia For those who have had DBS: -Contra-indications for ongoing stimulation, such as intractable side effects of DBS despite stimulation parameter adjustment

Not sure if you qualify? Submit your interest and a study coordinator will help determine your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Is this study available in Bethesda?

Yes, this clinical trial (NCT02119611) has an active research site in Bethesda, MD that is currently enrolling participants.

Q:Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. This study has been reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals. You can withdraw at any time.

Q:Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time and travel expenses. Specific compensation details will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is provided at no cost.

Q:Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty.

Still have questions? Our study coordinators are here to help.

Parkinson's Disease Treatment Options in Bethesda, MD

If you're searching for parkinson's disease treatment options in Bethesda, MD, this clinical trial (NCT02119611) may be an excellent opportunity. Clinical trials provide access to cutting-edge treatments that aren't yet available to the general public, often at no cost to participants.

Our Bethesda research site is actively enrolling participants for this clinical trial. You'll receive care from experienced parkinson's disease specialists who are at the forefront of medical research. All study-related care, including examinations, treatments, and monitoring, is provided at no cost to qualified participants.

Looking for more options? Browse all parkinson's disease clinical trials near you to find additional studies recruiting in your area.

More Parkinsons Disease Trials in Bethesda, MD

See all parkinsons disease clinical trials recruiting in Bethesda — not just this study.

Browse Parkinsons Disease Trials in Bethesda →

Ready to Join in Bethesda?

Take the first step toward participating in this groundbreaking clinical trial

Secure · Expert Care · Bethesda, MD