Clinical Trials

The Duke Movement Disorders Clinic conducts a variety of clinical trials to continually seek out better treatments for those affected by movements disorders. If you are interested in participating in any of these trials, please complete a brief eligibility form for an open trial or email movdisres@dm.duke.edu.

Dystonia

  • Dystonia Biomarker Discovery - This study hopes to identify blood "signatures" that indicate dystonia. The knowledge gained from this exploratory study may help improve diagnosis, identify subsets of dystonias that may respond to differing treatments, and/or create new opportunities to evaluate disease progression or treatment response. Participation involves completing a survey that provides information about your dystonia and having one routine blood draw. Please answer the following questions to help us determine whether you're an eligible candidate for this trial. Click here to see if you may be eligible for this trial.
  • Neck Sensor for Cervical Dystonia - This study is developing a clinical tool for measuring the effect of routine clinical treatment in patients with neck dystonia. Click here to see if you may be eligible for this trial.
  • Accelerated TMS for Focal Hand Dystonia- This study is investigating the potential of utilizing multiple transcranial magnetic stimulation sessions, a non-invasive therapeutic approach, to alleviate dystonia affecting the hand. Click here to see if you may be eligible for this trial.

Essential Tremor

Huntington's Disease

Parkinson's Disease

  • LUMA - This study is testing an oral medication that may slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Individuals with early-stage Parkinson’s disease (less than 2 years since diagnosis) between the ages of 30-80 may be eligible. There are multiple study visits over the course of up to 2.5 years. Click here to see if you may be eligible for this trial.
  • Inhibikase - This study is a randomized, phase-1 trial conducted in older adult or elderly healthy volunteer subjects, which will be extended to include Parkinson's patients. Its primary objectives are to ascertain the safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of IkT-148009 capsules when administered in both single and multiple capsule dosages. Click here to see if you may be eligible for this trial.
  • Takeda - This study is testing an antibody infusion that may treat symptoms of multiple system atrophy (MSA). Individuals with MSA with symptoms for 4 years or less may be eligible. There are monthly infusion visits for up to 1 year. Potential candidates are advised that enrollment delays may potentially occur due to disruptions in the supply chain. Click here to see if you may be eligible for this trial.
  • DBS Predictive Study -The study aims to evaluate Parkinson's disease patients considering deep brain stimulation (DBS) during OFF/ON evaluation. It involves collecting data points throughout the DBS workup and utilizing a smartwatch to track symptoms before and after the DBS procedure. The study involves two visits; one before the DBS procedure and another during the first DBS programming session. Click here to see if you may be eligible for this trial.
  • TOPAZ  - This trial is testing if a bone-strengthening drug called zoledronic acid can help prevent debilitating hip fractures in Parkinson’s Disease. Study Contact: 1-800-473-4636 or visit www.topazstudy.org. Click here to see if you may be eligible for this trial.
  • wAID-PD - This is a web-based automated imaging study. Anyone with Parkinson’s disease, PSP, and MSA are considered for this study. There are 2 visits. One visit will include a questionnaire and an MRI scan and another will take place 12-18 months after the first visit as a follow-up. Click here to see if you may be eligible for this trial.
  • SIS Vision - This trial is measuring the effectiveness of a new imaging guidance software on accurate placement of deep brain stimulation. Participation involves standard rating scales and brain images performed as part of routine clinical care for deep brain stimulation. There may be some additional rating scales performed as part of the study if they are not done as part of clinical care. Click here to see if you may be eligible for this trial.