Pilot Evaluation of a 2D Embodied Conversational Agent to Support Speech Engagement in Parkinson's Disease

Date Added
June 4th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00145307
Researcher
Kelly Richardson

List of Studies

Keywords
Parkinsons
Summary

We are testing a 2D system designed to help people with Parkinson's disease practice their speech. In this study, participants will speak with a virtual character, called an embodied conversational agent, using a laptop. Our goal is to see if this technology is helpful and easy to use for people with Parkinson's disease to use. This research will help us learn whether using virtual characters at home could support long-term speech improvements.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Kelly Richardson
8437929468
richkell@musc.edu

Neuron23, Inc. / "A Phase 2, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of NEU-411 in Companion Diagnostic-Positive Participants with Early Parkinson's Disease (NEULARK)"

Date Added
May 13th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00142584
Researcher
Christine Cooper

List of Studies


Keywords
Parkinsons
Summary

The goal of the research study is to see if NEU-411 (1) will help prevent or slow the worsening of LRRK2 driven Parkinson's Disease (PD) and, (2) is safe. This study will also determine how your body processes NEU 411 and what NEU-411 does to your body. The study doctor will discuss with you whether you are eligible to be part of this study. As part of this study, you will receive either NEU-411 or placebo (inactive substance). The study drug is in tablet form and is taken by mouth. The study will last about 67 weeks. You will come in for 19 visits. In addition to in-person visits with the study team, you will be required to complete daily tests using a smartphone and occasionally be asked to wear a smartwatch continuously for 1-week periods. These technologies will be provided to you for use during the duration of the study and you will be trained on how to perform these activities. The NEU-411 is investigational and has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as well as the investigational Companion Diagnostic (CDx).

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Robin Bulgarino
8437921115
bulgarino@musc.edu

Dynamic motor cortical responses to subdural electrical stimulation.

Date Added
March 18th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00142103
Researcher
Nathan Rowland

List of Studies


Keywords
Parkinsons
Summary

Current surgical treatments for Parkinson's disease have associated risks that may prevent patients from being offered surgery called "deep brain stimulation" or DBS. This is mainly because electrodes have to be placed through brain tissue to reach the target. Stimulation at the surface of the brain might be a potential alternative, but current research has not shown consistent results, and this may be because the mechanism of action is not clear. In this study, we aim to stimulate and record the brain at the surface to help answer this question and potentially improve the consistency and effectiveness of this treatment.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
M S Zobaer
8329557191
zobaer@musc.edu

A Neural Basis for Cognitive Decline Following Deep Brain Stimulation: A DBS-fMRI Study

Date Added
March 18th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00142451
Researcher
Daniel Lench

List of Studies

Keywords
Brain, Parkinsons
Summary

The purpose of this research study is to learn how Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), which targets a part of the brain called the subthalamic nucleus (STN), may affect thinking and memory in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). We plan to include about 55 people with PD who have already had DBS surgery at MUSC's Clinical DBS Program.

As part of the study, participants will attend two visits after their DBS surgery. The first visit, which will last about three hours, includes going over the study information and consent form, collecting background information (demographics), and completing tests that measure thinking and memory (cognitive assessments). The second visit, also about three hours, will involve an MRI scan to look at how the brain's networks change when the DBS device is turned on and off.

These findings may help doctors and researchers make better decisions about which patients are most likely to benefit from DBS surgery and how to choose the best stimulation settings to reduce unwanted changes in thinking and memory.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Niloufar Malakouti
843-792-0235
malakout@musc.edu

Black and African Americans Connections to Parkinson's Disease (BLAAC PD) A Project of the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2)

Date Added
August 7th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00135539
Researcher
Vanessa Hinson

List of Studies


Keywords
Healthy Volunteer Studies, Parkinsons
Summary

Your participation in this study will help researchers understand genetic information about Parkinson's disease in Black and African Americans. BLAAC PD aims to generate genetic data on PD and non-PD Black and African American participants. To join this study, you must be over 18 years of age and identify as Black or African American. Subjects must have a diagnosis of PD or not have PD or any other neurological condition. The study will consist of one visit, at this visit you will be asked to answer a few questions and give a blood sample. You will not receive your genetic results.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Magdaline Volcy
843-792-1022
volcy@musc.edu

Imaging Biomarkers of Freezing of Gait Response to Deep Brain Stimulation

Date Added
April 16th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00131410
Researcher
Gonzalo Revuelta

List of Studies


Keywords
Aging, Brain, Movement Disorders, Parkinsons, Surgery
Summary

For this study, we are recruiting 54 individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Freezing of Gait (FOG) who are planning to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). The objective of this study is to better understand the FOG response to DBS. Prior to DBS study participants will undergo a MRI scan, behavioral assessment related to walking, a cognitive evaluation, and assessment of other Parkinson's disease symptoms. Following DBS participants will repeat these assessments at multiple timepoints over the period of one year. Overall, participants will complete a total of 7 visits over a period of approximately 1 year.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Daniel Lench
843-792-9115
lenchd@musc.edu

A Phase 2b, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of BIIB122 in Participants with Parkinson's Disease

Date Added
March 28th, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00123124
Researcher
Christine Cooper

List of Studies


Keywords
Parkinsons
Summary

This study will help determine the safety and effectiveness of BIIB122, compared to placebo (an inactive substance), in people with early-stage Parkinson's disease. The use of BIIB122 in this study is investigational. "Investigational" means that the study drug is currently being tested and is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other health authorities around the world for treating people with PD. The study is expected to last a minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 3 years. You may or may not receive direct medical benefit from participating in this study. Your condition may get better, worse, or stay the same. The information obtained from this study, however, could help other patients with your disease in the future.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Sandra Wilson
8437924616
wilsosan@musc.edu

A Neural Basis for Cognitive Decline Following Deep Brain Stimulation

Date Added
January 25th, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00125181
Researcher
Daniel Lench

List of Studies

Keywords
Brain, Parkinsons
Summary

The objective of this research study is to identify brain biomarkers using MRI scans that can predict an individual's response to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). A total of 55 participants with Parkinson's Disease planning to undergo DBS will be recruited from MUSC's Clinical DBS Program. Participants will undergo two visits which include a 2.5-hour pre-DBS questionnaire and MRI scanning visit, and a 3.5-hour post-DBS cognitive assessment visit. In addition control participants without Parkinson's Disease will be recruited to undergo MRI scanning and cognitive assessments.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Daniel Lench
843-792-9115
lenchd@musc.edu

Combined Deep Brain Stimulation and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Date Added
July 20th, 2021
PRO Number
Pro00111668
Researcher
Gonzalo Revuelta

List of Studies


Keywords
Brain, Movement Disorders, Parkinsons
Summary

The purpose of this research study is to identify brain activation patterns in response to deep brain stimulation (DBS). To participate in this study, participants are required to have had a DBS implant or to be healthy controls without a history of a neurological disorder. Participants will undergo screening, a motor assessment session and a 30-minute Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) session where their DBS device will be turned on and off in a cycled pattern. This study will be separated over 3 visits (Visit 1 for screening, Visit 2 for motor assessments and Visit 3 for the MRI scans). The total study duration will be approximately 5 hours.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Daniel Lench
843-792-9115
lenchd@musc.edu

A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial of Zoledronic Acid for Prevention of Fractures in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Date Added
March 31st, 2020
PRO Number
Pro00095121
Researcher
Vanessa Hinson

List of Studies


Keywords
Parkinsons
Summary

This randomized clinical trial is designed to test the efficacy of ZA-5 mg in PD patients. This trial will also address barriers to treatment of patients with PD by providing rigorous evidence about whether ZA reduces fracture risk in patients with PD, simplifying treatment by giving ZA at home without extra medical visits and BMD testing, and overcoming poor persistence with oral therapies because one infusion may prevent bone loss for at least 2 years. The outcome of this trial will demonstrate how a home-based fracture prevention can reach older PD patients who would not otherwise receive treatment to reduce their high risk of fractures.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Timothy Sheehan
843-792-0372
sheehant@musc.edu



-- OR --