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Parkinson's Clinical Research Newsletter May 2009 www.PDtrials.org Greetings! Thank you for signing up to receive the PDtrials Parkinson's Clinical Research Newsletter. This regular email newsletter provides you with information on Parkinson's disease (PD) clinical trials that are actively looking for participants, as well as news on Parkinson's research and treatments. PDtrials is a collaborative initiative of Parkinson's organizations and is dedicated to increasing awareness and education about Parkinson's clinical trials. Please contact us if you would like more information about this effort. New Clinical Trials: Examining the Sleep/Wake Cycle of People with Parkinson's Disease PD is very frequently associated with poor overnight sleep and daytime sleepiness. One of the known cases of poor sleep and daytime sleepiness is the impairment of the "circadian clock" (internal biological clock of a person). This study is being done in order to look at the functioning of the biological clock in people with PD. The investigators will examine sleep patterns and daytime sleepiness, as well as melatonin and cortisol blood levels and clock gene function during a 24-hour period. This study is enrolling 30 participants in the Chicago area. Learn more. http://www.pdtrials.org/en/browse/all/view/255 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of IPX066 in People With Parkinson's Disease (APEX-PD) This study will test the efficacy and safety of three doses of a new experimental treatment drug, called IPX066. Approximately 350 participants will be randomized (randomly selected) to orally take one of three doses of IPX066 or a placebo. This study will be enrolling in several states across the U.S. Learn More: http://www.pdtrials.org/en/browse/all/view/254 Special Protein Helps Maintain an Efficient Brain The instruction manual for maintaining an efficient brain may soon include a section on synaptotagmin-IV (Syt-IV), a protein known to influence learning and memory, thanks to a study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers. The study showed that Syt-IV keeps the strength of synapses - connections between nerve cells where communication occurs - within a useful range of neither too strong nor too weak. Synapses' ability to adjust over time by becoming bigger and stronger or smaller and weaker - their plasticity - is at the heart of remembering, forgetting and learning. A delicate balance is required for this optimal brain plasticity. http://www.pdtrials.org/en/clinical_research_news/release/pr_1242913900 Parkinson's: Neurons Destroyed By Three Simultaneous StrikesIn a study that reveals the clearest picture to date of neuron death in PD, researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have found that a trio of culprits acting in concert is responsible for killing the brain cells. The study, published in the April 30 issue of Neuron, showed that three molecules - the neurotransmitter dopamine, a calcium channel, and a protein called alpha-synuclein - act together to kill the neurons. Brain Protein Central To Both Parkinson's, Drug Addiction IdentifiedScientists have identified a protein that appears not only to be central to the process that causes PD but could also play a role in muting the high from methamphetamine and other addictive drugs. The action of the protein, known as organic cation transporter 3 or oct3, fills a longstanding gap in scientists' understanding of the brain damage that causes symptoms like tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement and postural instability. While these are found mainly in patients with PD, there are more than three dozen other known causes of this array of symptoms, known as "parkinsonism." http://www.pdtrials.org/en/clinical_research_news/release/pr_1241531599 Acadia in Pact with Biovail for Parkinson's DrugAcadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. said it entered into an agreement with a Biovail Corp unit to co-develop and commercialize its experimental drug to treat Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP) in the United States and Canada. Shares of Acadia almost tripled to $2.97 in morning trade. "They had about a year of cash, and that's a tough position to be in when you are a biotech company, so this gives them a little bit more breathing room," Needham & Co analyst Alan Carr said. http://www.pdtrials.org/en/clinical_research_news/release/pr_1241629214 University of Arkansas at Little Rock Study Targets Root of Parkinson's Disease Acadia University of Arkansas at Little Rock researchers are examining PD at its most fundamental level in hopes of finding a way to stop the progression of the debilitating disease. Chemistry professor Jerry Darsey and doctoral student Sushma Thotakura are leading the one-year study that's being paid for with the help of a grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Darsey, who's been at UALR since 1990, said the research is focused on addressing the disease in its earliest stages. Tell Us Your Story! At times, we receive correspondence from people living with Parkinson's about their clinical trial experience, and these stories are often featured in the Participant Testimonials section of PDtrials.org. If you have participated in a clinical trial for PD we'd love to hear from you. Sharing your story provides insight into the clinical trial experience that only you can offer. Please email us at [log in to unmask] to contribute your testimonial. Help Inform Others About Clinical Trials! Do you find the information in this email bulletin and on PDtrials.org to be a helpful resource? If so, won't you take a moment and send this email bulletin to others? Just click on the "Forward email" button at the bottom of this page and enter the email addresses of friends, family, support group members, and others who you think would like to learn more about clinical studies. In This Issue New Clinical Trials Parkinson's: Neurons Destroyed By Three Simultaneous Strikes Parkinson's: Neurons Destroyed By Three Simultaneous Strikes Brain Protein Central To Both Parkinson's, Drug Addiction Identified Acadia in Pact with Biovail for Parkinson's Drug Acadia in Pact with Biovail for Parkinson's Drug © 2009 PDtrials. All Rights Reserved. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn