San Francisco, CANCT06231563Now EnrollingIRB Ready

Parkinson's Disease Clinical Trial in San Francisco, CA

Access cutting-edge parkinson's disease treatment through this phase 2 clinical trial at a research site in San Francisco. Study-provided care at no cost to qualified participants.

Sponsored by VA Office of Research and Development

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Expert Care in San Francisco

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

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Check if you qualify for this parkinson's disease clinical trial in San Francisco, CA

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Why Participate?

  • No-Cost Study Care

  • Local to San Francisco

    Convenient for CA 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 San Francisco site if eligible
  4. 4Begin participation

About This Parkinson's Disease Study in San Francisco

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a devastating illness that has a growing impact on Veterans. One of the most disabling symptoms is depression, which is common in PD and linked to poor quality of life and higher risk of suicide. Unfortunately, there is a lack of effective treatments for depression in PD. Ketamine, which has rapid and potent antidepressant effects, is a potential option but has not been tested in Veterans with PD. Studies in rodents show that ketamine may not only improve depression in PD, it may target two of the underlying drivers of the disease: (1) reduced neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to adapt and remodel itself; and (2) elevated inflammation. The investigators are conducting a randomized, placebo-controlled study to examine if a dose of intravenous (IV) ketamine improves depression in Veterans with PD. The investigators will also examine ketamine's effects on neuroplasticity and inflammation, which will help us understand how ketamine works in PD and if it can be a useful treatment for Veterans with the disease. This study will lay groundwork for a larger clinical trial across multiple VA sites.

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Who Can Participate

Inclusion Criteria

Able to understand and provide written informed consent.
Is a United States Veteran.
Between 40-80 years old at the time of informed consent
Have neurologist-diagnosed idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) for at least six months prior to enrollment
History of inadequate response to at least one trial of antidepressant medication
On a stable regimen of all medications for at least 2 months prior to enrollment and have no planned medication changes during the period of active participation.
Commit to attend all in-person and remote study visits and participate in all data collection procedures.
Have a score \>/=20 on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), consistent with moderate or greater depressive symptom severity, at Baseline.
If already engaged in psychotherapy or other non-pharmacologic treatments for depression, agree to maintain consistent engagement throughout the period of active study participation.
If not engaged in psychotherapy or other non-pharmacologic treatments for depression, agree to avoid starting a new course of treatment for the period of active study participation.
Agree to abstain from cannabis for a minimum of 72 hours prior to assessments on Day - 1 and to remain abstinent through assessments on Day 0
If a regular user of tobacco or nicotine, agree to maintain a consistent pattern of use throughout the period of active study participation; if an infrequent/occasional user, agree to abstain throughout the period of active study participation
For people who can become pregnant or trying to conceive: agree to use highly effective contraception from entry into the trial through Day 7 assessments

Exclusion Criteria

Lifetime history of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder or current psychosis with loss of insight
Dementia or cognitive impairment as determined by a MoCA (telephone version) score \<18 at screening.
Moderate or severe substance use disorder during the 6 months prior to enrollment or a breathalyzer test showing an alcohol level \> 0% at screening or a positive urine toxicology panel at screening. Note that a positive result for cannabis is an exception; see Inclusion Criteria
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or plans to become pregnant during the period of trial participation.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment within 30 days prior to enrollment or plans to begin either therapy during the participation period
High risk of self-harm/suicide that warrants immediate treatment as determined by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) at screening
Current severity of depression symptoms warranting immediate treatment (i.e., resulting in inability to provide for basic needs/safety) at screening
Meeting standard safety exclusion criteria for TMS (seizure disorder, ferrous metal or implanted devices above the chest, history of severe traumatic brain injury, tinnitus)
Meeting standard safety exclusion criteria for ketamine treatment (previous hypersensitivity reaction to ketamine, hepatitis or liver failure, cystitis, or underlying cardiovascular conditions in which increased blood pressure would pose a risk of complications)
Concomitant medications that may interfere with ketamine treatment or increase risk of adverse events (e.g., benzodiazepines, sedative-hypnotics, lamotrigine, MAOIs) if it is not medically appropriate or feasible for the participant to abstain from use for at least 5 half-lives prior to assessments on Day -1 and remain abstinent through assessments on Day 0
Concomitant medications that may impact motor cortex plasticity (e.g., memantine, dextromethorphan) if it is not medically appropriate or feasible for the participant to abstain from use for at least 5 half-lives prior to assessments on Day -1 and remain abstinent through assessments on Day 0
Concomitant medications that may increase risk of adverse events with TMS (i.e,. those that can lower the seizure threshold) if it is not medically appropriate or feasible for the participant to abstain from use for at least 5 half-lives prior to assessments on Day -1 and remain abstinent through assessments on Day 0
Autoimmune disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) or neoplastic disorders
Use of cytokine antagonists or other medications that may modulate inflammation unless regimen has been stable for at least 2 months and there is no plan to alter the regimen during trial participation
Another medical condition or diagnosis, physical exam finding, or laboratory abnormality that precludes participation in study procedures due to safety concerns.

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 San Francisco?

Yes, this clinical trial (NCT06231563) has an active research site in San Francisco, CA 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 San Francisco, CA

If you're searching for parkinson's disease treatment options in San Francisco, CA, this clinical trial (NCT06231563) 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 San Francisco research site is actively enrolling participants for this phase 2 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.

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