An Exploratory Study of the Potential for Rational Immune System Manipulation to Prevent Emergence of Synucleinopathy Manifestations in Persons with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD)

Date Added
September 3rd, 2026
PRO Number
Pro00151041
Researcher
Christine Cooper

List of Studies


Keywords
Parkinsons, Sleep Disorders
Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if a drug called adalimumab can reduce or prevent emergence or progression of synuclein-related neurodegeneration, or nerve cell death, in people diagnosed with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD.) About 108 individuals, aged 50-80, will be enrolled in this study, half of whom will receive the active study drug and half of whom will receive placebo. Participants would receive 40 mg adalimumab, administered subcutaneously every 2 weeks or matching placebo for up to 2 years (96 weeks).

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

Olfaction and Neurodegenerative Disease

Date Added
September 1st, 2026
PRO Number
Pro00150356
Researcher
Rodney Schlosser

List of Studies


Keywords
Alzheimers, Dementia, Healthy Volunteer Studies, Non-interventional, Nose, Parkinsons
Summary

Smell loss has been found to be associated with mortality and neurodegenerative diseases. Unfortunately, there are no current biomarkers for olfactory loss and no specific mechanism to explain exactly how this association occurs. This study aims to uncover more about smell loss and its association with neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Mild Cognitive Impairment in the early/mild stages of those conditions. Study procedures involve questionnaires, a 40-item scratch and sniff smell test, assessment of cognitive function, blood sample, and nasal mucus and cell samples collected by a physician.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Mickey Lee
843-792-9496
sinus-research@musc.edu

Developing at-home taVNS for neurorehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease

Date Added
May 19th, 2026
PRO Number
Pro00149153
Researcher
Daniel Lench

List of Studies

Keywords
Parkinsons
Summary

This study is designed to explore a new treatment option for motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease. Motor symptoms and gait disturbance for Parkinson's are often disabling and can increase risk of falls and requce quality of life. We are testing whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is tolerable, acceptable and can be administered at-home and used to improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease. TaVNS delivers electrical impulses through the skin of the ear to the vagus nerve which research has shown modulates brain activity. The purpose of this research is to see whether this treatment approach is feasible, tolerable and and potentially effective at treating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. If successful, this research study will hopefully lead to a larger study in the future where the efficacy of the treatments can be studied.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Emily Laramie
8437923873
laramie@musc.edu

exPDite-2: A Phase 3 Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Midbrain Dopaminergic Neuronal Cell Therapy (Bemdaneprocel) for Participants With Parkinsons Disease

Date Added
January 27th, 2026
PRO Number
Pro00147082
Researcher
Andrew Ameri

List of Studies

Keywords
Movement Disorders, Parkinsons
Summary

This study will test if bemdaneprocel (the "study drug") is safe and effective in improving symptoms in participants with Parkinson's Disease. The symptoms of PD are due to a loss of cells that make a specific chemical in your brain called dopamine. The study drug is a cell therapy that contains live brain cells that produce dopamine. This study will last 5 to 8 years, and depending on randomization group between 23-32 study visits.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Sandra Wilson
843-792-4616
wilsosan@musc.edu

Functional Outcomes of a Pickleball Community-Based Exercise Program for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease

Date Added
November 10th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00148039
Researcher
Vanessa Hinson

List of Studies


Keywords
Exercise, Parkinsons
Summary

The purpose of this research is to explore the effects of participation in a pickleball community-based exercise program on function in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). Individuals will engage in an 8-week instructional pickleball exercise program designed specifically by Movement Disorder Specialists at the Medical University of South Carolina for PwPD. The pickleball training program involves warm-up exercises, stroke mechanics, fall safety and recovery technique training, effective movement pattern drills, game play strategies, and match play. We aim to quantify the motor function, balance, mobility, and quality of life outcomes through clinical assessments and questionnaires before and after participation in the Pick it Up Pickleball training program. This research will establish an evidence base for pickleball as a therapeutic intervention, opening the door for additional accessible and engaging exercise options for the PD community.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Isabelle Museck
317-478-7198
museck@musc.edu

Gut-based Predictors of Response to Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease

Date Added
October 21st, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00139440
Researcher
Gonzalo Revuelta

List of Studies


Keywords
Parkinsons
Summary

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment that can help improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the effectiveness of this treatment varies among patients, and physicians currently have no way to predict who will benefit the most. This study will investigate whether the types of bacteria in a person's gut can help predict their response to DBS. By analyzing patient samples, we aim to identify biomarkers that could help doctors better select candidates for this procedure, ultimately leading to more successful treatment outcomes for individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Mohammad Mahdi Sowlat
8438766410
sowlat@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

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) and speech. 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. Participants have the option to combine visits 1 and 2. Participant's will also be invited to undergo an optional second scan. If participants consent, the second scan will be performed on a separate day than the first scan and therefore, there will be a total of 3 study visits.

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

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 Health Columbia Medical Center
Recruitment Contact
Magdaline Volcy
843-792-1022
volcy@musc.edu



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