Centers for Advanced Research

University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Medicine

David G. Standaert, MD, PhD, Director

APDA funding supports:

• Studies of neuroinflammation, protein aggregation and oxidative stress in PD as well as the role of the microbiome
• Multiple clinical trials including those testing novel drugs, DBS techniques and exercise intervention
• An active DBS program with approximately 150 procedures performed per year
• Approximately 6,800 patient visits per year

Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Clemens Scherzer, MD, Director

APDA funding supports:

• Studies that probe the biology of PD-causing genetic mutations
• A biomarker discovery program using specimens from more than 2,700 participants
• A drug discovery program that utilizes technologies such as stem cells and big data analytics
• Approximately 2,200 patients visits each year

Emory University School of Medicine

Thomas Wichmann, MD, Director

APDA funding supports:

• Studies aimed at understanding the brain pathways involved in PD
• Clinical trials investigating treatments for wearing off, hallucinations, low blood pressure, daytime sleepiness and dementia
• An active DBS program and approximately 80-100 procedures performed per year
• Approximately 14,000 patient visits per year

Boston University School of Medicine

Marie Hélène Saint-Hilaire, MD, FRCP (C), Director

APDA funding supports:

• Studies to identify potential PD biomarkers
• Characterization of PD among various ethnic groups
• Exercise intervention, wearable technology and attention training clinical trials
• Approximately 4,000 patient visits per year

Washington University School of Medicine

APDA funding supports:

• Studies of genetic and environmental risk factors of PD
• Drug development for neuroprotection in PD
• An active DBS program with 75-100 procedures performed yearly
• Approximately 6,500 patient visits each year

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

APDA funding supports:

• Studies of levodopa induced dyskinesias, DBS optimization and neuroprotection
• Multiple clinical trials including ones for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
• An active DBS program with 75-100 procedures performed per year
• Approximately 4,200 patient visits per year

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

J. Timothy Greenamyre, MD, PhD, Director

APDA funding supports:

• Studies of molecular and biochemical causes of PD and the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in causing PD
• Gene therapy clinical trials
• An active DBS program with approximately 70 procedures performed per year
• Approximately 3,000 patient visits per year

Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville

Dennis Dickson, MD, Director

APDA funding supports:

• Studies to identify novel gene mutations that contribute to Parkinsonism
• A range of clinical trials from gait in advanced PD to Lewy bodies of the gut
• A very active DBS program with 75-100 procedures performed per year
• Approximately 1,500 patients seen each year