Clinical Research

Many patients who attend the MGH Movement Disorders Unit volunteer to participate in a variety of important research activities. Members of the Movement Disorders Unit are actively involved in basic research on motor systems. The ultimate goal of the research is to develop better strategies for the treatment of persons with movement disorders.

Clinical drug trials

New investigational drugs for the treatment of specific disorders continually become available and patients are encouraged to enter into studies of these new drugs. Each patient in a drug trial is evaluated frequently and systematically.

Mood and Intellect Research

An important aspect of research on movement disorders is to delineate their effects on mood and intellect. Research in this area is very active and patients have an opportunity to be studied in detail within these projects.

Biochemical Markers

Biochemical markers of specific diseases would make possible potential early and definitive diagnosis. Research in the laboratory has suggested a number of leads that are being pursued with blood and urine tests.

Genetics

Blood tests can also be used to study the genetic or inherited aspects of disease. The MGH has made many discoveries in the past several years of the genes for Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Wilson's disease. We anticipate that more genes will be discovered in the near future and encourage patients and their families to participate.

Brain imaging

MRI scans are also used to tell us more about specific brain diseases. These studies will help improve diagnosis and treatment in the future.