Parkinson’s & Movement Disorder Institute

Help Parkinson’s Disease Research Move Forward

Click Here to contact us onlineIf you suffer from Parkinson’s disease and experience motor fluctuations, you may be eligible to participate in a research study being conducted at the Parkinson’s & Movement Disorder Institute.

The study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication that is delivered through a patch applied to the skin.

For more information please contact the Parkinson’s & Movement Disorder study staff at (714) 378-5021.

Have you been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease?

If you are...

  • 30 years or older
  • Taking Requip or Mirapex (for at least 30 days)
  • Click Here to contact us onlineNot taking Azilect (rasagiline) or other MAO inhibitors
  • Not suffering from high blood pressure
  • Not suffering from liver disease
  • Not pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding

You may qualify for a research study testing an investigational combination of medications to see if it can help better control Parkinson’s symptoms.

If you would like information about participating in this study for Parkinson’s disease, please contact
The Parkinson’s & Movement Disorder Institute study staff at (714) 378- 5074.

Parkinson's Disease-related Psychosis (PDP)

Subject Information and Study Guide - Protocol-020

What is the purpose of this study
 There is an unmet medical need to find an effective treatment for Parkinson's Disease-related Psychosis (PDP) that does not have side effects that are especially worrisome in some patients with Parkinson's Disease. The study will research the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication compared to placebo (an inactive look alike substance) in individuals with Parkinson's who are experiencing hallucinations and/or delusions (PDP).

What are the symptoms of PDP?
 The most common symptoms of PDP are hallucinations (seeing, hearing and/or feeling something that is not actually present) and delusions (believing in something that is not true, often including paranoid thoughts)

What is PDP
 Psychosis is a medical term used to describe a loss of contact with reality that can lead to changes in a person's behavior and emotions. It is a real and serious problem that affects up to 40% 1 of patients with Parkinson's Disease at some point in their illness. It is felt that PDP is caused by the changing chemical levels in the brain, but the relationship between Parkinson's Disease (PO) and psychosis is complex and not completely understood.

Click Here to contact us onlineWho can participate in this study?
 Approximately 200 Parkinson's patients will participate in this study, which is being conducted at 50 locations across the United States. To take part in this study, the individuals must meet the following eligibility criteria, although other criteria apply:

  • Have been experiencing PDP symptoms for at least the past month
  • Be at least 40 years of age with a Parkinson's diagnosis of at least 1 year
  • Be on a stable dose of anti-Parkinson's medication for at least 1 month prior to study participation

click here to download our brochure...

If you would like information about participating in this study for Parkinson’s disease, please contact
The Parkinson’s & Movement Disorder Institute study staff at (714) 378- 5074.

Recently Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease?

Effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) in Parkinson’s Disease

Official Study Title:
Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Coenzyme Q10An (CoQ) in Parkinson Disease – Phase III [QE3]

Sponsor:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Study ID: U01 NS050324

Summary:

The objective of this study, called ‘QE3’, is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness EffectivenessAbility of a drug or treatment to produce a result. of high dosages of CoQ in slowing clinical ClinicalDealing with or based on observation and treatment of people, as opposed to basic science carried out in the laboratory or in animals. decline in people who have early Parkinson's disease. CoQ is a naturally occurring substance in the body and is also a nutritional supplement. In previous studies CoQ has been well tolerated.

Eligibility:

  • Minimum Age: 30
  • Gender(s) Accepted: Either
  • Maximum Years Since Diagnosis: 5

Time Commitment

  • More than six months
  • Visits at screening, baseline 1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 months

click here to learn more about this study...

If you would like information about participating in this study for Parkinson’s disease, please contact
The Parkinson’s & Movement Disorder Institute study staff at (714) 378- 5074.

About UsOur Physicians

The Parkinson's & Movement Disorder Institute is made up of the following members:

NEUROLOGISTS:

Daniel D. Truong, M.D.

Mayank Pathak, M.D.

Karen P. Frei, M.D.

Thong Nguyen, M.D.

Stephen Jenkins, M.D.

David Brown D.O.

NEUROSURGEON:

Devin K. Binder, M.D., Ph.D.

About UsOur Locations

The central office for the Medical Group is located in the campus of Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Orange County.

This office is our main location for patient care and clinical research.9940 Talbert Ave., Suite 204, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

A second office in Laguna Hills, Orange County, is a location for patient care.

A third office is in a medical office building across the street from Long Beach Memorial Medical Center view details

THE ELLDOPA STUDY
EARLIER VS. LATER L-DOPA IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

The study is a multicenter, double blind clinical trial in outpatients. It is designed to determine whether earlier vs. later introduction (and moderate vs. low dosage) of Levodopa to patients with Parkinson's disease is beneficial or harmful. It is intended to answer the concern raised by clinicians and patients regarding Parkinson's disease (PD), namely, should the introduction of L-dopa be delayed as long as clinically feasible or should it be employed early to improve quality of life.

Levodopa is considered the 'gold standard' of symptomatic therapy because it is the most effective drug in controlling parkinsonian symptoms. However, there is uncertainty about whether it may be harmful in the long run. First, because of concerns that its metabolites might increase oxidant stress and thereby hasten progression of Parkinson's disease, and second, because it might lead to earlier introduction of clinical fluctuations of motor response and unpleasant dyskinesias.

The initial study visit consists of screening tests, medical history, and physical examination. Patients meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria and screening test requirements of the protocol will be randomized to receive either active study drug or placebo and will be seen weekly during the treatment phase. All study medications, office visits, physical examinations, screening and laboratory tests are provided.

Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria

A. Inclusion Criteria

  1. The presence of idiopathic Parkinson's disease, with at least two of the following three cardinal signs (resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity) being present, and without any other known or suspected cause of parkinsonism.
  2. Adults, 30 years or older, with onset of symptom after the age of 29. Both men and women in all ethnic groups are eligible to participate. Women of child-bearing age will not be excluded.
  3. Parkinson's rating scale 1, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5, representing the stage of unilateral involvement (stage 1.0 and 1.5) and mild bilateral or mid line involvement without impairment of balance (Stage 2.0 and 2.5)
  4. Duration from time of diagnosis < 2 years.

B. Exclusion Criteria

  1. Those with an identifiable cause of Parkinsonism by history, examination, or laboratory testing. Specifically there will be no history of multiple strokes, encephalitis, oculogyric crisis, remission, or exposure to toxicants or to recent neuroleptics. Patients with supranuclear gaze paresis, extensor plantar responses, cerebellar signs, dementia (score of 25 or lower out of 30 on the minimental state test, or symptomatic or prominent orthostatic hypotension (mean arterial pressure drop > 25 mm Hg on standing) will be excluded. Exposure to neuroleptics for non-psychotic usage (e.g. metoclopramide for gastrointestinal problems) without persistent extrapyramidal sequelae would not exclude patients if the interval between exposure and enrollment was greater than 6 months.
  2. Those with a UPDRS tremor score in any limb of 3.0 severity or greater.
  3. The presence of either freezing (motor blocks) or loss of postural reflexes.
  4. Those taking or requiring any antiparkinson medications and patients expected (by the investigator) to require symptomatic antiparkinsonian therapy within 6 months.
  5. Prior exposure to any levodopa preparation or dopamine agonist.
  6. Prior exposure to amantadine, anticholinergics and antihistamines is permitted within one month prior to entry into the study.
  7. Exposure to selegiline or other irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors within 4 months of enrollment.
  8. Exposure to dopamine receptor blocking agent, including calcium channel blockers, cinnarizine and flunarizine within the past 6 months of enrollment.
  9. Unstable medical condition or history of drug abuse.
  10. Major depression (Halmilton score > 19) Those with a medical history of medical malignant melanoma.