Research
Recently Published Studies
- A Pilot Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Telehealth Intervention for Functional Movement Disorder
- Tic Disorders, Anti-Tic Medications, and Risk of Atopy
Research Partners
- Leung Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
Stony Brook University
Hoi-Chung Leung, PhD
- Mind Body Clinical Research Center
Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute
Adam Gonzalez, PhD
- Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences
Stony Brook School of Health Technology and Management
Renee Fabus, PhD, CCC-SLP, TSHH
Lisa Muratori, PT, EdD
- Thomas Hartman Center for Parkinson’s Research
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University
Alfredo Fontanini, MD, PhD
Mary Kritzer, PhD
Active Studies
Stony Brook University is looking for individuals with Parkinson’s disease for a research study endorsed by the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Parkinson’s Study Group. The purpose of the study is to test the medication, zoledronic acid, to see if it can help prevent fractures in people with Parkinson’s Disease.
As part of this study, a nurse will come to your home to give you a short exam. You will receive a one-time dose of the study treatment and will be contacted every four months to check if you have had any new fractures. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease between the ages of 65 or older are invited to participate. Participants will be a provided with a small stipend for enrollment and yearly during the study.
To learn more about joining this study you can call the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) or if you are ready to enroll visit www.topazstudy.org and enter STONYBROOK as your invitation code.
This study will examine inflammation in individuals with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Mild Cognitive Impairment with Lewy Bodies (MCI-LB). This study is open to individuals with DLB and MCI-LB age 40 and over. Participants in this study will be invited to participate in future clinical research on DLB and MCI-LB at Stony Brook University. For more information please email sandra.skinner@stonybrookmedicine.edu or call (631) 444-7513.
This study is examining the safety, effectiveness, and duration of response of Dysport® compared to Botox®. This study is open to people with upper limb spasticity who are between the ages of 18 and 80. For more information please call (631) 444-9083 or email christine.pol@stonybrookmedicine.edu.
Several potential disease-modifying strategies are entering early clinical trials of safety and effectiveness in Huntington's disease (HD). Studies have demonstrated that significant damage in the brain is present many years before symptoms appear, so it is highly probable that these strategies will be most effective if administered in the early or even asymptomatic stage, before extensive damage has occurred. Oculomotor (eye movement) assessments of HD participants have produced results that could address this important unmet need. The first is that such patients, many years from their first clinical symptoms, display a profound deficit in a specific type of eye movement, optokinetic nystagmus (OKN). OKN is a reflexive oscillatory eye movement in response to a moving visual pattern, comprising a tracking of the moving visual field followed by a resetting saccade. We have found that OKN is grossly abnormal and, in some patients, almost entirely absent. Further studies have demonstrated that there is an underlying deficit in motion perception. Visual feedback is essential for good postural stability, and patients with HD are known to have difficulties with posture/balance and are more prone to falls. A greater understanding of these deficits can have a direct impact on assessment and treatment in HD and potentially serve as a biomarker for HD onset and progression. To be effective, treatment should be started prior to the onset of clinically noticeable symptoms. An oculomotor training paradigm may serve as an intervention that could be carried out in the home using telehealth or remote monitoring of patients with HD, as well as those at risk for HD. Beyond the quality of life benefits, large Pharma companies and academic researchers have been searching for just such an early symptom that could be used in pre-clinical and clinical patients to assess the impact of putative treatments or other interventions in clinical trials.
This research is being done to examine eye movement changes and visual feedback errors related to Huntington’s disease. Study procedures for this research are the completion of a series of computer tests where you will where special glasses that allow us to record your eye movements. Standing balance measurements with sensors that are attached to your shirt at your waist and chest. Completion of a brief questionnaire about your experience during testing. The most likely risks to you of the research are fatigue from standing and completing the computer testing. This would be a one-time visit of two hours.
To learn more and inquire about participation, please contact Lisa Muratori, PT, EdD at (631) 444-6583 or lisa.muratori@stonybrookmedicine.edu.
Scientists are investigating a study drug called ecopipam for adults, adolescents, and children with Tourette's Disorder. A study drug is one that is not yet approved for use by the general public. Ecopipam is designed to function differently than the currently approved therapies for individuals with Tourette's Disorder. Scientists want to find out how it works over time and how safe it is for children, adolescents, and adults with Tourette's Disorder. For more information please email sandra.skinner@stonybrookmedicine.edu or call (631) 444-7513.
Prior Studies
Disrupted sleep and alertness impact as many as 90% of people with Parkinson's disease and contribute to a poorer quality of life and impaired mood and cognition. The circadian system plays a critical role in the regulation of sleep and alertness and is most effectively synchronized by light. A previous clinical trial suggested potential beneficial effects of bright light therapy on sleep in individuals with Parkinson's disease. This study investigated the relationship between frequency of light therapy treatments and participant adherence, tolerability, and effectiveness in reducing sleep problems and improving quality of life.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) are associated with the misfolding, accumulation, and aggregation of alpha-synuclein protein. This study tested for detectable differences in misfolded alpha-synuclein aggregates in participants with PD, MSA, Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) and non-parkinsonian controls in different biofluids including cerebrospinal fluid, blood, saliva, and urine.
This study investigated the safety and tolerability of molecular hydrogen, a promising antioxidant agent, in patients with early-stage Parkinson’s disease.
This was a multi-site drug study that examined the outcomes of using ONGENTYS as adjunctive treatment to levodopa/carbidopa in treating “off” periods in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
This interventional study sponsored by the Parkinson’s Foundation was designed to measure the feasibility, acceptability, and initial impact of the SMART-PD program on participants with a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers. SMART-PD is a program designed to teach cognitive-behavioral techniques and relaxation skills to patients with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers. The program provides information and tools to help patients and their caregivers cope with a new diagnosis of PD, and manage the stress and negative mental health symptoms associated with PD.
Doctors are researching an investigational medication for early stage Parkinson's disease in clinics located in your area. The medication is being evaluated to see if it can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. If you are 40 to 75 years of age and suspect you have Parkinson's disease or have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease less than two years ago. If you are experiencing slowness of movement, muscle stiffness, rigidity, tremor or shaking you may qualify to participate in this research study. Visit orchastra-study.com or contact us at (631) 444-7513 or email sandra.skinner@stonybrookmedicine.edu to find out more.
This is a phase 2 clinical trial sponsored by Sage Therapeutics which will examine the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of an investigational drug (Sage-718). For this study we seek to recruit individuals with Parkinson's disease ages 50-75 who are cognitively impaired. This is a rare opportunity to participate in a clinical trial of an investigational drug which is being developed to improve cognition in Parkinson's disease, a symptom of the disease which is rarely studied nowadays. To learn more about the study and whether you are eligible to participate, please email or call the study's coordinator at sandra.skinner@stonybrookmedicine.edu or (631) 444-7513.
