Information About PD Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a medical strategy, treatment, or device is safe and effective. These studies also may show which medical approaches work best for certain illnesses or groups of people. Clinical trials produce the best data available for health care decision-making.
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According to the National Institutes of Health, the purpose of clinical trials is research, so the studies follow strict scientific standards. These standards protect patients and help produce reliable study results. Clinical trials are one of the final stages of a long and careful research process. The process often begins in a laboratory (lab), where scientists first develop and test new ideas..
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For safety purposes, clinical trials start with small groups of patients to find out whether a new approach causes any harm. In later phases of clinical trials, researchers learn more about the new approach's risks and benefits. A clinical trial may find that a new strategy, treatment, or device improves patient outcomes; offers no benefit; or causes unexpected harm. All of these results are important because they advance medical knowledge and help improve patient care.
The following list includes clinical trials developed to help the Parkinson's community (PANC does not endorse specific clinical trial programs):
The following list includes clinical trials developed to help the Parkinson's community (PANC does not endorse specific clinical trial programs):
Fox Trial FinderFox Trial Finder is a Web-based clinical trial matching tool to connect those with and without Parkinson's disease to Parkinson's clinical research opportunities that urgently need their participation. After volunteers input information about themselves (such as zip code, date of birth, and brief medical history), Fox Trial Finder provides trial match suggestions. Fox Trial Finder also provides the opportunity for volunteers to connect directly with trial coordinators through a secure messaging interface on the site.
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CenterwatchAn information service for patients, pharmaceutical companies, and research centers that are involved in clinical research. Centerwatch publishes a wide range of newsletters, books, and directories.
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Parkinson Study Group (PSG)A nonprofit, cooperative group of Parkinson's disease experts from medical centers in the US and Canada dedicated to improving PD treatments through clinical trials.
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National Institutes of HealthA resource site developed by the National Institutes of Health to provide patients, family members, and the general public with current information about clinical research studies.
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