Boston University Medical Campus
Parkinsons Disease & Movement Disorders Center

A clinical study of the research medication Aplindore in persons 30 years of age or older who have early stage Parkinson’s disease is recruiting subjects to participate. The purpose of this research study is to find out whether Aplindore can effectively treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

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.

The new study is called Parkinson’s Associated Risk Factor Study (PARS). IRB # H-26493.

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.

The Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorder staff participated in the Twelfth International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders in Chicago, Illinois, June 22-26, 2008.

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

On May 2, 2008 Boston University Medical Center Staff Samuel Frank, MD and Cathi Thomas, RN, MS participated in the Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntinton’s Disease with Co-Occuring Mood Disorders conferece at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. This event was sponsered by the Massachusetts Association of Older Americans, Inc. and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. During the plenary session, Dr. Frank presented Huntington’s Disease and Behavioral Issues" and Cathi Thomas, RN, MS presented Parkinson’s Disease and Behavioral Issues. 

Pictured from left to right: Tim Ferry; Cathi Thomas, RN, MS; Debora Case; Denyse Turpin, RN, MPH; Anna Hohler, MD; and Jim Maurer.

On May 1, 2008, Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) staff attended an Action Day at the Massachusetts State House in Boston, MA. Anna Hohler, MD represented the Massachusetts Neurological Association and Cathi Thomas, RN, MS, Denyse Turpin, RN, MS, Debora Case, and Timothy Ferry represented the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Information & Referral Center at BUMC and the Massachusetts Chapter of the APDA . This was a great opportunity to highlight needs of the Parkinson community to our state legislators and community at large.

Pictured from left to right: Tim Ferry; Cathi Thomas, RN, MS; Debora Case; Denyse Turpin, RN, MPH; Anna Hohler, MD; and Jim Maurer.

Pictured from left to right: Tim Ferry; Cathi Thomas, RN, MS; Debora Case; Denyse Turpin, RN, MPH; Anna Hohler, MD; and Jim Maurer.

Pictured from left to right: Tim Ferry; Cathi Thomas, RN, MS; Debora Case; Denyse Turpin, RN, MPH; Anna Hohler, MD; and Jim Maurer.

On May 1, 2008, Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) staff attended an Action Day at the Massachusetts State House in Boston, MA. Anna Hohler, MD represented the Massachusetts Neurological Association and Cathi Thomas, RN, MS, Denyse Turpin, RN, MS, Debora Case, and Timothy Ferry represented the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Information & Referral Center at BUMC and the Massachusetts Chapter of the APDA . This was a great opportunity to highlight needs of the Parkinson community to our state legislators and community at large.

Lonnie Ali, wife and primary care partner to boxing champion Muhammad Ali, discusses her role as her husband’s primary caregiver for Parkinson’s Disease. Dr. Kapil Sethi, a professor of neurology and director of the Movement Disorders Program at the Medical College of Georgia, talks about risk factors and therapies. Hosted by Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and The American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) of Massachusetts. 

Visit www.bu.edu/today/buniverse to view the talk.  

Parkinson’s Disease Clinical Research Volunteers Needed for a Clinical Trial (IRB #H-26216)

Boston University Medical Center is currently seeking people who have Parkinson’s disease for a clinical drug study. An FDA approved drug will be studied at varying dosages for the treatment of early Parkinson’s disease. Individuals may qualify if they were diagnosed within the last seven years and are taking no PD medications or are taking a stable dosage of certain PD medications. Participants will receive study-related care at no charge. Please contact Cathi A. Thomas, RN, MS at (617) 638-7737 for more information on the study.

Dr. Samuel Frank has been invited to participate on the Center Programs and Education Advisory Committee (CPEAC) of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. (HDSA).  He will serve for three years. This subcommittee forms the core of the annual convention program planning committee, reviews and helps to update educational publications for lay and professional audiences, and oversees other educational projects that develop throughout the year.

"Autonomic Dysfunction in Neurological Disorders"

Anna DePold Hohler, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Boston University School of Medicine

Room R103
McNary Learning Center

November 20, 2007, 8:30am