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New Clinical Trials

Treatment of Depression and Other Non-Motor Symptoms in PD - Within PD, depression is a major health problem and often goes undiagnosed and untreated. A psychosocial intervention, such as cognitive behavior therapy, has the potential to effectively address symptoms of depression, and has the potential to address PD symptoms that may or may not be related to depression, such as anxiety, sleep issues, and cognitive/motor challenges. Learn more


A Study of Ritalin for the Treatment of Walking Difficulty in PD - The purpose of this research study is to examine whether Methylphenidate (MPD) can result in improvement of gait (walking) in a population of people with PD whose main disability is freezing of gait. MPD, commonly known as Ritalin®, is a drug which can excite or stimulate certain systems of the body that control motor function. Learn more


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Put to the Test: Ten Must-Ask Questions About Joining a Clinical Trial
Pat Gianone, a 62-year-old who lives in the Chicago suburbs, was diagnosed with PD almost four years ago. Since that time she has participated in three clinical trials at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and is contemplating a fourth trial, of a medication. What are the benefits for trial enrollees? Participants receive cutting-edge treatments, typically at no or reduced cost. "It gives them options beyond the regular standard of care," says Joanne Lord, L.P.N., a certified clinical research coordinator at the University of Michigan.
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Family Dementia Risk Seen with Parkinson's Disease

Relatives of patients with PD appear to be at increased risk for impaired thinking and dementia, suggesting the presence of shared susceptibility factors, new research indicates. Whether these factors are genetic or whether they relate to a shared lifestyle will require further study. The association is primarily seen among families of patients who are younger when they develop PD, "but the risk does not vary across relatives of patients with different (symptoms) of PD," Dr. Walter A. Rocca, from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues report in the Archives of Neurology.
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Test Rates Driving Ability in Parkinson's Patients

A short screening test, developed by a Belgian team, which measures four clinical variables can accurately predict the fitness of patients with PD to drive, according to findings published in the current issue of the journal Neurology. "Physicians often rely on a medical history and an interview with the patient and the next of kin regarding driving problems," lead author Dr. Hannes Devos noted in comment to Reuters Health. However, "physicians often overestimate the driving skills of their patients."
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Scientists Find Nicotine May Ease Symptoms of Parkinson's

One of the more difficult challenges faced by sufferers of Parkinson's is not the disease itself, but rather the jerky, uncontrollable movements caused by the most common treatment for this devastating neurological disorder. Now, scientists at the Sunnyvale-based Parkinson's Institute may have found a surprising, even ironic, treatment to reduce those movements: nicotine.
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CISCRP hosts AWARE for All Workshops to Advance Clinical Research Education in Indianapolis on November 3rd

The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) will host their 2007 Annual Workshops to Advance Clinical Research Education on November 3rd in Indianapolis. Educational programs include informational workshops with top doctors and researchers, thank you receptions for local clinical research participants, health screenings, and additional resources. AWARE for All workshops are held several times a year in metropolitan areas around the U.S. and are free and open to the public.
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Tell Us Your Story

At times, we receive correspondence from people living with Parkinson's about their clinical trial experience. If you have participated in a trial that you found through PDtrials we'd love to hear from you. Sharing your experience provides us with insight that only you can offer and helps ensure that PDtrials.org is a valuable resource to the PD community. Please email us at info@pdtrials.org to tell your story.


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