Actively Recruiting

GBA Multimodal Study

Mutations in the GBA gene could be, in some cases, associated with Parkinson’s disease. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to the development of the disease in people who have the GBA mutation may have implications for identifying therapeutic targets in both genetic and non-genetic cases. In this Michael J. Fox Foundation sponsored study, participants with this mutations in this gene will be asked to complete several PET/MR scans and assessments of movement, mood, and thinking.

Principal Investigator: Dr. A. Jon Stoessl
Primary contact: Jess McKenzie
604-822-7764
jess.mckenzie@ubc.ca

Exercise and Brain Energetics in Parkinson’s Disease

It is well known that exercise helps slow down disease progression, but how exactly does it work? What changes occur in the brain in response to sustained levels of exercise? This research study aims to answer these questions using positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study brain energetics, or how the brain produces and uses energy. There is evidence that PD alters healthy brain energetics, and exercise may be a means to slow down or even reverse these changes.

We are currently recruiting individuals participating in less than 120 minutes of high-intensity exercise per week. You will be asked to come in for assessments, an exercise test, and a single PET/MRI scans, and then repeat the three visits after 6 months. You may be reimbursed for travel or provided with transportation.

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Principal Investigator: Dr. Vesna Sossi
Primary contact: Jess McKenzie
604-822-7764
jess.mckenzie@ubc.ca

Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease Symptom Control

Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS) is a non-invasive technique that stimulates the vestibular system and has shown improvements in motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. This study aims to investigate how GVS improves motor performance in Parkinson’s patients compared to healthy controls by using a combination of GVS, EEG, and fMRI. Participants will complete questionnaires, undergo stimulation tests, and perform motor tasks both inside and outside an MRI scanner while receiving GVS and simultaneously recording EEG. The tasks will be completed both on and off medication across two study visits. 

Principal Investigator: Dr. Martin McKeown
Primary contact: Michael Grundy
604-822-9722
michael.grundy@ubc.ca

Video-Based Remote Assessment of Parkinson’s Disease

In patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder, motor symptoms such as tremor and bradykinesia (slow movements) can often fluctuate over time. However, tracking these fluctuations and assessing disease severity to make treatment decisions is a challenge as patients are limited in their ability to visit their physician. Through the Canadian Open Parkinson Network (C-OPN), our goal is to create a large video dataset featuring some of the characteristic symptoms of PD (ie. tremor and bradykinesia) for the development of a deep learning algorithm that can frequently and remotely classify the severity of symptoms in patients. This remote research study will help to facilitate PD assessments from the comfort of home and better inform treatment decisions for clinicians.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Martin McKeown
Primary contact: Michael Grundy
604-822-9722
michael.grundy@ubc.ca

Parkinson’s Disease Biomarker Study

Monitoring characteristic motor changes in individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and individuals at risk of developing PD (prodromal PD) remains a challenge as motor symptoms fluctuate subtly every day. Moreover, the instances that patients are able to see their doctors is limited, contributing to these difficulties in monitoring. This study aims to determine if the Roche PD Mobile Application can be used to reliably and remotely monitor motor and non-motor symptoms in PD through active tests and passive monitoring. Active tests are designed to assess symptoms using short daily tasks on a smartphone, while passive monitoring assesses mobility throughout the day. Actively recruiting healthy agers.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Martin McKeown
Primary contact: Michael Grundy
604-822-9722
michael.grundy@ubc.ca

Bjorn Moller Research Repository (BMRR)

The BMRR is a biobanking initiative collecting biosamples and demographic data of individuals living with PD, other movement disorders, as well as healthy controls. Participants will consent for their biosamples and data to be used in multiple future research studies. Participation involves collection of fecal and urine samples at home, online questionnaires, and an in-person visit at UBC to complete a blood draw and clinical assessments. A follow-up visit will be completed 18 months after the baseline visit.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell
Primary contact: Samantha Schaffner
604-822-3177
bjorn.moller.repository@ubc.ca

ProD Trial

This study investigates the use of a multi-strain probiotic supplement for the treatment of depression, associated mood disorders, and cognitive impairment in individuals with PD, and to better understand the mechanism of the gut-brain axis in this context. Participants will be randomized to either 12-week multi-strain probiotic treatment or placebo and provide biological samples and questionnaires.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell
Primary contact: Adam Lemkow
604-827-2694
adam.lemkow@ubc.ca

Vancouver Parkinson’s Research Initiative

The Vancouver Parkinson’s Research Initiative (VPRI) is one of nine sites in four provinces of the Canadian Open Parkinson Network (C-OPN), which is a nationwide network that supports Parkinson’s research in Canada. This study aims to learn more about the development of Parkinson’s disease by collecting data and blood samples to be stored for researchers to use in future studies. Participants in this study will be asked to complete questionnaires, cognitive and motor assessments, and have blood samples collected. An optional component of the study is the contact registry, where contact information will be stored for future research participation.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell
Primary contact: Olivia Bridgen
604-827-5373
o.brigden@ubc.ca

Impact 360 for Parkinson’s Disease

This study looks to examine the neuroprotective effects of exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness within older healthy individuals and those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Participants will be screened and, if successful, enrolled in a 6-month intervention consisting of exercise, nutrition and mindfulness classes. Participation in the study will average approximately five hours per week. Study visits include blood work, DEXA scan, MRI, and questionnaires.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell
Primary contact: Jeffrey Kelly
604-822-4723
impact.360@ubc.ca

PD Diet Study

This 18-month pilot study will assess and optimize the feasibility of an active intervention diet compared to a standard (control) diet in people living with Parkinson's Disease without dementia. Onsite study visits (screening, baseline, months 3, 6, 12, and 18) will include collection of biological samples, questionnaires, and two MRI scans; regular remote study assessments will include online questionnaires, telephone calls, and Zoom videoconferencing to complete coaching and cooking sessions.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell
Primary contact: Annie Kuan
604-822-0576
pd.diet@ubc.ca

Music PD

Listening to different types of audio, such as music or podcasts, have been shown to improve brain health outcomes in healthy and clinical populations; these effects, however, have yet to be tested in Parkinson’s disease. This study aims to examine the effects of audio interventions, such as music and podcasts, on targeting apathy (lack of motivation for daily tasks) in people with Parkinson’s disease. Participants will take part in an 8-week intervention period involving either music or podcast listening, and 3 in-person visits involving clinical assessments and functional/structural MR scans in the MRI scanner, for a total of 12 weeks of involvement.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell
Primary contact: Miguel Jose
604-822-1319
miguel.jose@ubc.ca

REM-Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) and the Microbiome of the Gut

The REM-Sleep Behavior disorder (RBD) and the microbiome of the gut study aims to examine the gut microbiome of individuals with RBD and investigate correlations between microbial communities, inflammation, and clinical characteristics over the course of 5 years. Participants may either have a diagnosis of RBD or participate as a healthy control and will provide biological samples and complete questionnaires once per year.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell
Primary contact: Samantha Schaffner
604-822-3177
samantha.schaffner@ubc.ca