Do you have:
* Tremors or shaking?
* Slowed movements?
* Small handwriting?
* Stiffness?
* Poor balance or problems walking?

All of these may be symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

You may qualify for a PD drug study if you:

* Were diagnosed with PD within the last 3 years or if you are experiencing some of the above symptoms
* Are not currently taking medication for your PD
* Do not have a history of gout or kidney stones
 

Eligible participants will receive study-related evaluations, laboratory tests, and the investigational drug at no cost.  For more information about this study, please contact:Boston University Medical Center  Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center at 617-638-7737 or 617-638-7745.

IRB # H-28452

IRB H-27250

There is a clinical study of the research medication Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in persons 30 years of age or older who have early stage Parkinson’s disease. The purpose of this research study is to find out whether CoQ can slow the progression of early Parkinson’s Disease.

Those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease within the last 5 years and are not yet receiving treatment for their symptoms may be eligible. Study doctors will follow participants every four months over a 16-month period.

There is no cost to participate in the study. Persons with early stage Parkinson’s disease who are interested in participating in this study should contact the Boston University Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center at 617-638-7737.

This book designed for allied healthcare professionals, including nurses, rehabilitation specialists and social workers, is a quick, easily organized referencecovering all aspects of managing Parkinson’s disease. The book is divided into four sections: Problems, Evaluation, Treatment Strategies and Appendices.

Effectiveness of an inpatient movement disorders program for patients with Parkinson’s disease and predictors of rehabilitation outcome 
Authors: T. Ellis, D.I. Katz, T.J. DePiero, D.K. White, C.L. Hehl, A. Leonard, V. Allen, K. Griffith, J. Dentino, M. Gardner, H. Phenix, K. Wilford, A.D. Hohler, M. Saint-Hilaire 
      
Screening for orthostatic hypotension in patients with Parkinson’s disease may help to decrease morbidity and mortality: Database analysis from acute rehabilitation facility 
Authors: K. Wilford, A. Leonard, T. Ellis, J. DePiero, D. Katz, A. Hohler 
   
Task-specific bilateral arm freezing in subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) 
Authors: S.A. Ellias 
   
Wearable sensor system for monitoring motor function in Parkinson patients 
Authors: S.H. Roy, H.S. Nawab, D.L. Gilmore, S. Chang, B.T. Cole,
C.A. Thomas, M.-H. Saint-Hilaire, J.F. Jabre, C.J. De Luca 
   

The poster will also be presented at the Annual International Movement
Disorders conference in Paris June 2009.

PD forum organizer Dr. Ben Wolozin designed a program that allowed many presenters an opportunity to describe their research projects and results to date. Dr. Marie Saint-Hilaire, Medical Director of the APDA Advanced Center for Research said, “The PD Forum advances goals of Parkinson’s Research, highlights the accomplishments of researchers at Boston University and enhances clinical care.”

At the forum, President of Boston University, Dr. Robert Brown, commended the university faculty on their collaborative work. He encouraged everyone to utilize their vibrant mix of knowledge, techniques and approaches to solve the complex puzzle that is Parkinson’s.

At the close, Dr’s Wolozin and Saint-Hilaire recapped the day’s scientific and clinical research findings, while Dr. Alice Cronin-Golomb gave chase with closing remarks and stirring questions about the implications of what we know and on future project cooperation.

Researchers involved came from the following BU Departments: Neurology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Genetics, Public Health, Bio-Informatics, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Neurorehabilitation and Neuromuscular Research.

You can read a summary of the research presented at the Forum and view event photos.

- Raymond James, BSc
Research Coordinator, BUMC Neurology

There is no cost to participate in the study. Persons with early stage Parkinson’s disease who are interested in participating in this study should contact the Boston University Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center at 617-638-7737.

You may be eligible to join if:

• You have a first-degree relative (mother, father, sibling, or child) diagnosed with Parkinson disease
• Your age is 50 years or older
• You have not been diagnosed with Parkinson disease yourself
• Your have no history of nasal trauma or surgery involving your nose or sinuses

If you are interested in participating, please contact us 617-638-7737.

CLICK HERE for more information on the study.

Cathi Thomas, RN, MS presented "Expanding the Vision of the Movement Disorders Nurse." This session was included in Nursing Roles in Movement Disorders: New Horizons.

Samuel Frank, MD and Anna Hohler, MD presented two posters:

1. Unilateral porcine cell transplant in Huntington’s disease: Long-term follow-up
S. Frank, M. Saint-Hilaire, M. Diggin, A. McKee, K. Shannon

2. Neurology clinical skills in internal medicine interns: The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
A. D. Hohler