Movement Disorders Research
The Division of Movement Disorders is world-renowned for its tradition of clinical care and research excellence in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. We are committed to providing patients and their families with thorough, considerate, state-of-the-art care. Our goal is to further progress in the field of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, in terms of both patient care and cutting-edge research. We are continuously investigating better diagnostic test and improved therapeutic options for patients and their families.
Areas of Research
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Apoptosis
- Astrocytes
- Ataxia
- Bioinfomatics
- Biomarkers, genetic and epidemiology of Parkinson's disease
- Cell biology
- Disease
- Dystonia
- High-throughput screening
- Learning and behavior
- Microglia
- Mitochondria biology and disease
- Mitophagy
- Molecular and cellular biology of neurodegeneration
- Motor neuron biology and diseases
- Motor systems
- Multiple system atrophy
- Necroptosis
- Neural degeneration and repair
- Neurobiology of disease
- Neurodegeneration
- Neurodegeneration and repair
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuroinflammation
- Neurosurgical treatment using deep brain stimulati
- Novel targets for neuromodulation
- Parkinson's disease
- Parkinson's disease and movement disorders
- Parkinson's disease biomarkers
- Physiology of the basal ganglia
- Protein trafficking
- Roles of macroautophagy in the healthy and diseased CNS
- Stem cell biology
- Synapses and circuits
- Use of tractography for the understanding of neuromodulation
Studies and Trials
These studies are designed to help find new and more effective ways to diagnose, treat and, ultimately, cure Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Your participation in a research study may not only improve your quality of life but also make a difference for generations of patients in the future.
To learn more about participation in research studies, please visit the Office of Clinical Trials at Columbia University.
Should you decide to participate in a research study, our team of subspecialty-trained neurologists, nurses, coordinators, and genetic specialists will work closely with you before, during, and upon completion of your valued participation, to make certain you receive the best possible care.
Here are clinical trials and research studies that are currently open to patient participation:
PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
PDGENE is a national initiative that offers free genetic testing for clinically relevant PD-related genes and free genetic counseling to help participants better understand their results. The PD GENE study is open to people who have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and takes place at multiple Parkinson’s Foundation Centers of Excellence. At Columbia University, participation in this study will primary be through telemedicine appointments and at-home cheek swab collection kit. For further study eligibility information, please visit the PD GENEration website or contact:
Amanda Chan
Research Coordinator
Akc2177@cumc.columbia.edu
(212) 305-4233
or
Zach Meyers
Research Coordinator
zjm2009@cumc.columbia.edu
Parkinson’s Disease and related disorders Brain Donation Research
Columbia University Center Movement Disorders Division and the NY Brain Bank perform an essential research procedure to learn about movement disorders: brain autopsy (also known as brain donation). Studying Parkinson’s disease is made particularly difficult by the fact that scientists are unable to examine the brains of living patients. They must rely on the generous donation of brains by patients—as well as some family members—to brain banks. Our ability to understand how Parkinson’s disease and related disorders affect the brain is dependent upon studying brain tissue.
For further information about enrolling to be a potential brain donor, please contact Matt Surface, Brain Donation Coordinator at ms6015@cumc.columbia.edu.
READISCA - Clinical Trial Readiness for Rare Neurological and Neuromuscular Diseases
Who is this study for?
Ages 18-65; diagnosed with SCA 1 or 3
How long will I need to participate?
5 Years
What is the objective of the study?
The objective is to establish the world's largest cohorts of pre-manifest and early-stage SCA1 and SCA3 individuals by combining and expanding existing cohorts, COA data, and biofluid samples (blood and cerebrospinal fluid) from the US and Europe.
Who should I contact?
Nadia Amokrane, na2855@cumc.columbia.edu
CRC-SCA - Natural History of Spinocerebellar Ataxias
Who is this study for?
Ages 6+; diagnosed with SCA 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, or 10
How long will I need to participate?
5 Years
What is the objective of the study?
This observational study focuses on assessing the progression rate of SCA 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 10 using validated neurological rating scales, timed performance measures, and patient-reported outcome measures.
Who should I contact?
Nadia Amokrane, na2855@cumc.columbia.edu
Cerebellar Impulsivity Study
Who is this study for?
Ages 18+; diagnosed with SCA, essential tremor, or Parkinson's Disease
How long will I need to participate?
30 minutes
What is the objective of the study?
The purpose of this observational study is to evaluate decision making, thinking patterns, motor function, emotions and behaviors in patients with ataxia and healthy controls.
Who should I contact?
Nadia Amokrane, na2855@cumc.columbia.edu
The Orchestra Study: An 18-month Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Oral UCB0599 in Study Participants With Early-stage Parkinson's Disease
Who is this study for?
Ages 40-75; diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in the last 2 years and not currently on any dopaminergic treatment
How long will I need to participate?
2 Years
What is the treatment being studied?
UCB0599 or Placebo, taken orally twice a day
What is the objective of the study?
The objective is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of UCB0599 in patients with early-stage PD.
Who should I contact?
Natasha Desai, nd2528@cumc.columbia.edu
