Clinical Research

A goal of the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center is to advance the understanding of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, in terms of both defining biological causes and developing novel treatments. Ongoing clinical research is necessary to achieve this important goal. A unique feature of our center is the on-site collaboration of clinician specialists representing several disciplines that bring a diverse knowledge and perspective to clinical research investigations.

The center relies on volunteers to partner with us to achieve these goals and advance the understanding of movement disorders. By participating in clinical research, individuals have the opportunity to contribute to the discovery of new medications and therapies to treat movement disorders.

 

Types of Clinical Research

The VCU Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center conducts both observational and interventional research projects.

Observational: Extracting and analyzing information from both clinical care and specific clinical research evaluations

Interventional: Testing of a novel cognitive or exercise treatment, or a trial of an experimental drug or device

Participation in research projects is always voluntary, can be stopped at any time, and will not affect client access to the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center evaluation or treatment process.

 

Current clinical research projects

• Parkinson’s Disease
  
  • Early disease motor treatments
  • Dyskinesias
  • Gait freezing
  • Sleep and cognition
  • Genetic testing

• Lewy Body Dementia/Dementia with Lewy Bodies
  
  • Biomarker development
  • Imaging studies

• Alzheimer's disease
  
  • Supportive services and healthcare navigation

• Huntington’s Disease
  
  • Natural history
  • Gene therapy

• Dystonia
  
  • Natural history and biorepository
  • Imaging studies
  • Patient-centered outcomes

 

Interested in participating?

If you are interested in being a participant in a research study, please contact us at 804-628-2022 or email us at pdcenter@vcuhealth.org.

The VCU Center for Clinical and Translational Research office provides information for potential research volunteers. 

 

Clinical Research outside VCU

You can find additional information on clinical research studies outside of VCU at https://clinicaltrials.gov/.