Ongoing Research

Mind & Memory Changes Study (LB-SPARK)

This is a longitudinal study looking at Parkinson’s disease over time. You will be contacted once per year by phone or visit at Stanford. Study participation includes neurological exams, neuropsychology testing, a blood sample, gait & balance tests, collecting cerebrospinal fluid (optional), and collecting PET/MRI scans (optional).
 

PET Study

We recently started recruiting individuals with Parkinson’s disease for two PET/MRI scans to examine patterns of protein (amyloid) build up and inflammation (microglial activation) in the brain. The ability to measure amyloid accumulation and microglial activation provides a critical opportunity to further the understanding of Parkinson’s disease, monitor disease progression, and assess disease modifying treatments.

Healthy Brain Aging Study

Stanford Brain Bank Program

This study seeks a broad range of participants with neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body disease, and other disorders of the brain. We also seek healthy older adults age 65 and older without a brain disorder to serve as controls. Participants will be asked to consider brain donation at the time of death. Autopsy tissues will be used to help our scientists better understand neurodegenerative disorders and other brain diseases, by comparing clinical and autopsy findings and by examining microscopic, biochemical and genetic features. The pathologist’s brain autopsy report will be provided to family members.

PI: Victor Henderson, MD, MS, Co-PI: Edward Plowey, MD, PhD

Development of Multimodal Imaging Biomarkers for Cognitive Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease

• Why do some people with Parkinson’s disease develop memory problems soon after diagnosis, but for others it takes many years?
• Why do some people with Parkinson’s disease develop dementia, but for others memory problems are very mild?
• How common is it for people with Parkinson’s disease to also develop Alzheimer’s disease?

Early Differential Diagnosis of Parkinsonism with Metabolic Imaging and Pattern Analysis

• Can functional neuroimaging improve the diagnostic accuracy for Parkinson’s disease and other parkinsonian disorders (such as Multiple System Atrophy and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy)?

A 12-Week, Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-Group Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, Biomarker Effects, Efficacy, and Effect on Microglia Activation, as Measured by Positron Emission Tomography, of AZD3241 in Subjects with Multiple System Atrophy

This multicenter study will enroll 64 patients with Multiple System Atrophy. The objectives of this study are to assess the safety, tolerability, efficacy, and effect on microglia activation (as measured by PET) of two dosage levels of AZD3241 versus placebo (non-active study drug) in subjects with MSA. AZD3241 is an investigational drug, not approved by the FDA. The total length of the study is approximately 16 weeks, with 12 weeks of study medication.

For more information, please visit: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02388295

Attention and Working Memory in Parkinson's Disease

• Do dopamine medications improve or worsen Attention and Working Memory in people with Parkinson’s disease?

Currently, researchers do not understand how dopamine influences aspects of cognition, such as the ability to pay attention to what is important, and the ability to keep in mind new information once it is learned. This study aims to answer this question.  Participants are tested on a task of Working Memory (the ability to quickly remember new information) and Attention (the ability to focus on what is important) while both ON and OFF of dopamine medications.

A Phase 1/2 Trial Assessing the Safety and Efficacy of Bilateral Intraputaminal and Intranigral Administration of CERE-120 (Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 2 [AAV2]-Neurturin [NTN]) in Subjects With Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease

• Does gene-therapy of AAV2-NTN help slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease motor symptoms?

While this treatment appeared to be safe, the 15 month follow up data showed that there was no difference in the progression of clinical motor symptoms between patients who received the therapy and patients who received a ‘sham’ surgery (i.e. did not receive the therapy). The long-term follow up of these patients is currently underway.

Structural Correlates of Cognitive and Motor Dysfunction in Parkinsonian Disorders

• Can we use ultra-high resolution MRI scanning to help diagnose patients with Parkinson’s disease?
• Can we detect small changes in brain structures that are associated with specific motor symptoms and cognitive symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

At Stanford we use an exceptionally high-powered MRI magnet (called a 7-Tesla MRI) to look at tiny structures in the brain. This MRI scanner can show details of the brain down to 200 μm, or one-fifth of a millimeter. We are able to produce ultra-high resolution images of the Substantia Nigra (SN) and the Subthalamic nucleus (STN) (see images below), two very important structures in Parkinson’s disease pathology.  We are also able to view the hippocampus, a critical brain region involved with memory (paper).