Study Overview

  • Principal Investigator: Bradford Dickerson, MD
  • Sponsors: National Institute on Aging (NIA)
  • Conditions Studied: Corticobasal syndrome (CBS), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), oligo- or variant-progressive supranuclear palsy (o/vPSP), cognitively normal (CN) control participants

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to determine if certain tests and procedures could potentially be used to diagnose, track, and treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD).

The results from this study may be used in the future to calculate statistical power for clinical drug trials. The study will also provide information about the relative value of novel imaging techniques for diagnosis, as well as the value of imaging techniques versus testing of blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ‟biomarkers.

Study Details

If you have a diagnosis of Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD) or Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), it will take you approximately one year to complete this research study. During this time, we will ask you to make 5- 11 study visits. The number of study visits is dependent on your scheduling preferences, and whether you decide to take part in the optional lumbar puncture portion of the study.

If you have a diagnosis of Oligosymptomatic or Variant Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (o/vPSP), or are a healthy control subject, it will take you approximately two years to complete this research study. During this time, we will ask you to make 8- 14 study visits. The number of study visits is dependent on your scheduling preferences, and whether you decide to take part in the optional lumbar puncture portion of the study.

Your study partner will need to come with you to all visits.

What to Expect

Study procedures include:

  • A brief physical and neurological exam
  • MRI and PET imaging. The PET imaging uses two special dyes called T807 and PiB to make detailed pictures
  • Collection of body fluid samples, including blood, and spinal fluid (optional)
  • Cognitive testing

Contact Information

If you are interested in learning more about this research study, please contact Courtney Sullivan (courtney.sullivan@mgh.harvard.edu)