UCLA Howard and Irene Levine Family Center for Movement Disorders

UCLA scientists are conducting a vast array of research investigating the causes of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease and to develop new therapies. Researchers in the Movement Disorders Program are conducting basic science, translational and clinical studies often in collaboration with other investigators in the UCLA community.

Basic science research

Dr. Jeff Bronstein directs a basic science laboratory that investigates the causes of Parkinson’s disease (PD) at a molecular level using novel zebrafish and cellular models. He is particularly interested in environmental causes of PD and collaborates with Dr. Beate Ritz, who is an epidemiologist, to study both the genetic and environmental risk factors in a large cohort of PD subjects that can be further investigated in the lab. Dr. Bronstein’s lab also studies potential disease modifying agents.

Dr. Carlos Portera-Cailliau’s lab utilizes advanced microscopic techniques such as in vivo 2-photon imaging to study cortical circuitry and neuronal structure in development and disease such as PD and Fragile X. His lab is highly accomplished having published in top journals and received extensive funding from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and from several foundations. Please see porteralab.neurology.ucla.edu for details.

Dr. Chao Peng's lab focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of pathological alpha-synuclein and tau related neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple system atrophy. They develop cutting edge disease models and apply powerful genetic, multi-omics, structural and high through-put screen methods to investigate a wide range of topics related to the development and progression of this group of diseases. They are particularly interested in the transmission and conformational diversity of pathological proteins in the central nervous system and the role of neuron-glial interactions in this process. They also work together with industrial and academic collaborators to develop novel therapies for these diseases.

Dr. William Zeiger investigates how neurological diseases such as stroke and Parkinson disease cause dysfunction of cells and circuits in the brain. His lab utilizes mouse models, multi-modal in vivo imaging techniques, circuit manipulations, and custom behavior assays, with a goal of discovering therapeutics targeted at improving brain function to alleviate symptoms of neurologic disease. Please see https://zeigerlab.dgsom.ucla.edu/ for more information.

Dr. Katy Cross's lab investigates human brain circuit abnormalities underlying movement and gait impairment in Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. They use virtual reality, detailed behavioral and kinematic measurement, and neural recordings to discover biomarkers that will guide the development of novel and personalized treatments. They use a variety of techniques including motion capture, functional MRI, electroencephalography (EEG), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). https://crosslab.dgsom.ucla.edu/

Dr. Kimberly Paul is an epidemiologist who studies large data sets from disease populations to determine genetic and environmental factors that alters risk of disease with an emphasis on PD. She uses not only traditional genetic approaches but also links them to metabolomic analysis to further our knowledge at a molecular level in patients. Dr. Paul also works closely with Drs. Ritz and Bronstein evaluating the role of the microbiome in causing PD and in progression of the disease.

Health Services Research

Drs. Adys Mendizabal and Jennifer Adrissi are studying racial and ethnic disparities in movement disorders and dementia. Dr. Mendizabal’s current research looks at racial and ethnic disparities in Huntington’s Disease (HD), a rare progressive neurogenetic condition. She’s also developing projects improving sociodemographic data collection in HD, with the goal of understanding how minoritized groups with HD access specialized care, and with the goal to ensure equitable access to specialized care for HD and other neurological disorders. Dr. Adrissi is working on improving the lack of representation of black participants in Parkinson's disease clinical trials. She is currently creating a quantitative assessment tool to be used by Parkinson's disease researchers to assess and improve their recruitment and study design to increase inclusivity and accessibility for Black participants, using a community-centered approach.

Dr. Indu Subramanian has a strong interest in integrative medicine with a special interest in Yoga and Mindfulness. Her main research interest is on the effects of loneliness, stigma and mental health issues in people living with PD. She is also interested in disparities in the care of women with PD and is studying mindfulness at the VA through Insight LA.

Clinical and translational research and clinical trials

Several members of the Movement Disorders Program faculty perform clinical research. All studies are performed in the Neurology Department’s dedicated Center for Neurotherapeutics and the Chen Center for Translational Research for Parkinson’s disease and Related Disorders. A variety of studies are currently underway for Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, PSP and Wilson’s disease.

Some of these studies are investigator initiated while others are industry sponsored. These studies include novel therapies to treat these disorders, devices to better determine the needs of our patients, and magnetic and electrical stimulation studies. Funding comes from a variety of sources including the NIH, foundations and industry.

For more information on clinical trials, please contact Diane Yang at 310-206-3356 or email [email protected]

Active Recruiting Clinical Trials:

Noninterventional Study Evaluating Parkinson's Disease Diary Use
This study aims to evaluate the impact of the frequency of assessments on the variability over time, reliability, and compliance for the Parkinson's disease (PD) diary in patients with PD in whom medications do not provide adequate control of symptoms.
Phase: N/A
Gender: All
Age Group: Adults
Contact: Diane Yang [email protected]
Investigator: Jeff M. Bronstein, MD, PhD

Non-invasive Brain Mapping of Movement Facilitation in Parkinson's Disease
Several strategies or contexts help patients with Parkinson's disease to move more quickly or normally, however the brain mechanisms underlying these phenomena are poorly understood. The proposed studies use complimentary brain mapping techniques to understand the brain mechanisms supporting improved movements elicited by external cues. The central hypothesis is that distinct networks are involved in movement improvement depending on characteristics of the facilitating stimulus. Participants will perform movement tasks during recording of brain activity with EEG and MRI. The identified biomarkers may provide targets for future neuromodulation therapies to improve symptoms that are refractory to current treatments, such as freezing of gait.
Phase: N/A
Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Gender: All
Age Group: Adults
Contact: Mai Miura [email protected]
Investigator: Katy Cross, MD, PhD

Neurophysiologic mechanisms of freezing of gait: disentangling phenotypic heterogeneity with mobile EEG and wearable kinematic sensors
This is a Basic science study investigating electrophysiological mechanisms of freezing of gait. Study involves EEG and accelerometer recordings during walking in a clinic setting. Patients are asked not to take morning medications on day of study. Study duration: 2-3 hours in one visit to UCLA.
Age Group: Adults
Contact: Mai Miura [email protected]
Investigator: Katy Cross, MD, PhD

Trial of Parkinson's and Zoledronic Acid (TOPAZ)
This home-based study is a randomized (1:1) placebo-controlled trial of a single infusion of zoledronic acid-5 mg (ZA) for the prevention of fractures in men and women aged 60 years and older with Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism with at least 2 years of follow-up. A total of 3500 participants will be enrolled and randomized in the United States. Participants, follow-up outcome assessors, and study investigators will be blinded to assigned study treatment. This trial is funded by the National Institute of Aging.
Age Group: Adults
PI: Yvette Bordelon, MD, PhD; Douglas Bell, MD, PhD
Contact for information: Diane Yang [email protected]
UCLA is a Recruiting/Referral site only. Any patients interested in participating should call 800-473-4636 or visit https://www.topazstudy.org

Study of UX701 Gene Transfer for the Treatment of Wilson Disease
The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate the safety of single IV doses of UX701 in patients with Wilson disease, to select the UX701 dose with the best benefit/risk profile based on the totality of safety and efficacy data and to evaluate the effect of UX701 on copper regulation.
Phase: Phase III
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Gender: All
Age Group: Adults
Contact: Diane Yang [email protected]
Investigator: Jeff M. Bronstein, MD, PhD

For information, please contact Diane Yang at: 310-206-3356 or email [email protected]