Murray Center for Research on Parkinson's & Related Disorders

The Movement Disorder program at MUSC is involved in ongoing research through the Murray Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders as well as clinical trials designed to find new and better ways to treat patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. The physicians of the MUSC Movement Disorders Program are currently conducting clinical trials on a variety of topics.

About the Murray Center

The Murray Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders was formally dedicated on June 27, 2003, with the generous support of this noted philanthropist. Mr. William Edwards Murray and his family have been long-standing friends to the Medical University of South Carolina, in both research and education. They and other supporters of the Movement Disorders Program allow us to progress in the fight against these disabling neurological disorders. As the research branch of the Movement Disorders Program, the mission of the Murray Center is to find the causes of Parkinson's disease and related disorders, create new treatments for this disease, and ultimately find a way to detect the illness before symptoms develop and prevent its progression. The Murray Center enjoys collaborative relationships with many other programs at MUSC, as well as outside of the institution, locally, nationally, and internationally.

What Are Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials or research studies are special, highly structured programs in which we learn more about Parkinson’s disease, and related disorders. Drug trials are designed so that we are able to evaluate new medications to see if they are safe and effective. Each trial or study will have a very specific set of illness characteristics which the patient must meet if they wish to participate (“inclusion” and “exclusion” criteria). These may include medications you have been on, how long you have had your illness, and the state of your health in general.

Clinical trial information changes on a daily basis. Many clinical trials accept only a limited number of participants. Further, new trials are added on a routine basis as they are approved by the various institutions involved. Therefore, we suggest you check back often if you are interested in a specific treatment for a specific condition in order to review your options.

Check in with us if you are interested in Clinical Trials for the following conditions: 

• Early untreated Parkinson’s disease
• Moderate to advanced Parkinson’s disease
• Advanced Parkinson’s disease with wearing off symptoms
• Freezing of Gait with Parkinson's disease
• Cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease
• Exercise and Cognition in Parkinson's disease
• Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's disease
• Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
• Vascular Parkinsonism

Contact Us

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial please email the MUSC Movement Disorders Program at danger@musc.edu.