Clinical Trial and Research Opportunities in Tayside

The clinical team with assistance from the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network (Link)and the Clinical Research Centre at the Ninewells Hospital site in Dundee (Link) offer a variety of clinical trial and research opportunities for people affected by Parkinson’s disease.
Currently ongoing projects / trials include:



Neuroprogressive & Dementia Network - NHS Tayside Research Update, Spring 2025

The best way to be considered for current or future trials is to join the 'Permission to Contact' scheme for the Neuroprogressive & Dementia Network.  This will allow the research team to access your medical records and check whether you are eligible for studies.  To find out more details please visit https://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/research-areas/dementia-and-neurodegenerative-disease. 

To sign up for the 'Permission to Contact' scheme, please complete the online form https://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/research-areas/dementia-and-neurodegenerative-disease/patient-signup-form. Alternatively you can email tay.ndntayside@nhs.scot or call 01382 423086 to have a paper form sent out.


Current available trials:

 

  • RAPSODI GD 

Remote assessment of Parkinsonism supporting ongoing development of interventions in Gaucher disease

Open to new recruits: Yes

Study Drug: No

Inclusion criteria: Anyone with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease

Participating Scottish sites: Dundee

Website: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/pd-frontline-identifying-genes-people-parkinsons

 

  • PADOVA 

A Phase IIB, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous Prasinezumab. 

Open to new recruits: No

Study Drug: Prasinezumab/placebo

Inclusion criteria: >50-85yo, PD diagnosis 6M-3yr at screening, 3m stable treatment

Participating Scottish sites? Dundee 

Website: https://forpatients.roche.com/en/trials/neurodegenerative-disorder/pd/a-study-to-evaluate-the-efficacy-and-safety-of-intraven-35605.html

 

  • LUMA 

The Luminare Study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of a study drug, as compared to a placebo, to see if it may delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease in people who are in the early stage of their condition. 

Open to new recruits: No

Study Drug: BIIB122/placebo

Inclusion criteria: LUMA. 30-80 years old. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease within the last 2 years and were at least 30 years old when you were diagnosed.

Participating Scottish sites: Dundee

Website:  https://www.parkinsonsresearchstudies.com/?utm_source=parkinsonsfoundation&utm_medium=vanity&utm_campaign=luminare&utm_term=url&utm_content=luminarepdstudiesdotcom

 

  • BIAL ACTIVATE

Safety and Tolerability of BIA 28-6156 in people with Parkinson's Disease with a pathogenic variant in the Glucocerebrosidase (GBA1) Gene

Open to new recruits: No

Study Drug:  BIA 28-6156

Inclusion Criteria:  Between 30-80 yrs old, diagnosis of PD in last 7 years and a genetic screening to determine if the participant will qualify for the study

Participating Scottish Sites:  Dundee

Website:  https://bial.com/com/our-research/pipeline/bia-28-6156/

 

  • CAN PDP

CANnabidiol for Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis

Open to New recruits:  Yes

Study Drug:  CBD/placebo

Inclusion Criteria:  over 40 years old, experienced symptoms of psychosis for at least 1 month, been taking PD medication for at least 1 month, 

Participating Scottish Sites:  Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh

Website:  https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/can-pdp-cannabidiol-cbd-people-parkinsons-who-experience-hallucinations-or-delusions

 

  • PFP:  Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Families Project

Open to New recruits:  Opening very soon

Study Drug:  No

Inclusion Criteria:  Anyone with a PD diagnosis AND  any of the following:

  • patient has a genetic mutation for PD
  • family member (1st/2nd/3rd) with PD or MD (including tremor)
  • symptom onset under 45 years of age

 

  • EJS-ACT-PD Study

    Objective: Accelerate clinical trials in Parkinson’s Disease by evaluating multiple treatments simultaneously

    Design: Multi-Arm, Multi-Stage Trial

    Focus: Regularly analysing several treatments to assess their effectiveness. Effective treatments will continue, while ineffective ones will be replaced with new options, ensuring no delays in the trial process.

    Goal: To speed up the development of effective treatments for Parkinson’s Disease through a flexible and adaptive trial design

     

  • LITE The MJFF LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange (LITE) Study

    Objective: To address critical gaps in our knowledge about Parkinson’s Disease (PD) by exploring genetic and biological markers to predict responses to new treatments

    Focus: Investigate whether biological markers differ between people with PD and those without

    •Examine how these markers could predict responses to treatments aimed at slowing or stopping disease progression

    •Study why some people with a genetic risk for PD develop the disease while others with the same risk do not

  • •Collaborate with the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2) to study the genetics of PD, involving both people with and without the disease

  • Goal: To improve our understanding of Parkinson’s Disease, develop new technologies and approaches for measuring the disease, and identify potential biomarkers for better diagnosis and treatment

    More information to come...

-For further information of other research studies:  https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

Neuroprogressive & Dementia Network NHS Tayside Parkinson’s Research Update January 2022

Dr Esther Sammler of the Dundee MRC-PPU Lab has kindly provided an updated list of on-going research in various neurological fields, pages 2 and 3 list all of the current Parkinson's Disease trials.  Please have a look through the document here:

 

TOPHAT Research study

We are looking for PwPs who also suffer regularly from visual hallucinations.  Please see the attached document for details and do pass on to any PWPs who you may know who suffer from hallucinations and would be interested in taking part, thank you.

Anyone who would like more information should contact Kate Ferguson at

LIPAD - LRRK2 International Parkinson’s Disease Study

Academia led project: LIPAD - LRRK2 International Parkinson’s Disease Study an international, multicenter, epidemiological observational study for people with PD. This is a very exciting study led by Professor Christine Klein in Germany with Dr Esther Sammler as the lead for the UK. They now have ethics approval and are hoping to start recruiting very soon.

Sponsor: University of Luebeck, Investigator: Dr. Esther Sammler

LIPAD
Academia led PD Frontline

Recent research has shown that genetics play an important role in Parkinson’s disease. Promising drugs designed to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease are being developed and many of these are designed to counteract specific genetic abnormalities. Genetic testing for these abnormalities is increasingly being carried out. We hope in the near future this will allow participation in drug trials. PD Frontline is an online study which allows you undertake these genetic tests. We are actively recruiting for this study.

Sponsor: University College London, Local Investigator: Dr. Esther Sammler