Parkinson's Disease Research Unit

The Parkinson's Disease Research Unit at Thomas Jefferson University is a unique blend of clinical and basic scientists dedicated to research on the cause(s) and treatment of Parkinson's disease. The Parkinson's Disease Research Unit conducts innovative basic and clinical research aimed at identifying the biochemical, physiological and molecular/genetic abnormalities that cause Parkinson's disease and is working to develop effective new treatments for this disorder.

The Parkinson's Disease Research Unit is directed by Jay S. Schneider, Ph.D., an internationally recognized Parkinson’s disease researcher as well as support staff experienced in working with Parkinson's disease patients and in performing clinical research studies.

The basic science division of the Parkinson's Disease Research Unit performs cutting edge research in areas of neuroprotection, non-motor aspects of parkinsonism, gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease, dyskinesias, and is dedicated to understanding the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease and developing novel therapies for this disease.

The clinical arm of the Parkinson’s Disease Research Unit is presently conducting several clinical drug trials of potential new Parkinson’s disease medications for patients at different stages of Parkinson’s disease. We are currently recruiting early to mid-stage patients for trials of potential new neuroprotective agents, designed to slow disease progression. We are also recruiting patients who are experiencing fluctuations in their response to levodopa (such as wearing off) or are experiencing dyskinesias (unwanted involuntary movements in response to levodopa) for studies evaluating new drugs designed to address these treatment problems and enhance the response to levodopa.

Visit our "Studies" section to learn more information about the clinical trials conducted by the Parkinson’s Disease Research Unit or contact us 215-955-8700.

We are actively seeking to participate in our studies:

• Patients with mild to moderate PD are sought for an NIH-sponsored study assessing the ability of GM1 ganglioside, added to current anti-PD therapies, to slow symptom progression
• Patients with troublesome levodopa-induced dyskinesias are sought to participate in a study designed to evaluate the ability of an investigational agent to reduce dyskinesias
• Patients who experience “off” periods (periods during the day when anti-Parkinson’s medicines do not work very well) at least 30% of the day are sought for a study of an investigational drug designed to reduce these “off” periods
• Patients to participate in a study examining the natural progression of Parkinson’s disease
• Patients who experience a reliable wearing off of effect of levodopa and/or experience levodopa-induced dyskinesias are sought for a study assessing a new treatment to increase the effective time of levodopa and reduce dyskinesias