Office of Research
Clinical Trials

Leading the Future of Clinical Medicine
The College of Medicine is a hub for groundbreaking clinical research. With over 30 specialized research units, our teams are dedicated to translating laboratory discoveries into life-saving clinical applications. From neurology to oncology, we provide the infrastructure and expertise necessary to push the boundaries of modern medicine.

Browse our Research Units below to view current study listings.

Clinical Trials Search

Robert Stanton, MD

Robert Stanton, MD

Subacute

Anticoagulation in ICH Survivors

The Anticoagulation in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Survivors for Stroke and recovery study is a randomized, double-blinded, phase III clinical trial designed to test the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation, compared with aspirin, in patients with a recent ICH and high risk non valvular AF. A total of 700 patients, age 18 or older with a first ever ICH 14-120 days before entry will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive apixaban ( 5 mg tablet twice daily or 2.5 mg tablets twice daily for patients meeting standard dose adjustment requirements) or aspirin (81 mg tablet once daily).

Alberto Espay, MD

Alberto Espay, MD

Multiple Sclerosis

Understanding genetic Parkinson's disease

This study looks at people with a rare genetic form of Parkinson's disease and their family members. Researchers collect samples like blood, spinal fluid, and skin to better understand how the disease develops. The goal is to improve understanding of Parkinson's disease causes.

Abhimanyu Mahajan, MD, MHS, FAAN

Abhimanyu Mahajan, MD, MHS, FAAN

Parkinson's disease | Movement Disorders

Hypotension in PDD and DLB

Is hypotension the mechanism behind cognitive fluctuations in Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy Bodies? The aim of the study is tp determine if the cortical electroencephalographic signatures of cognitive fluctuations are present in PDD and DLB patients with OH. We will use a tilt table test to determine if PDD/DLB patients with OH may have a differential electroencephalographic pattern than those without OH. Hypothesis: PDD and DLB patients with OH will have dominant frequency variability between alpha (8.0-12.0 Hz) and pre-alpha (5.5-7.5 Hz) bands compared with patients without OH.

Hani Kushlaf, MD

Hani Kushlaf, MD

Neuromuscular

Phase 3

Empasiprubart versus IVIg in CIDP

This Phase 3 study compares an investigational drug called empasiprubart with standard intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in adults who have CIDP and who have previously responded to IVIg. In Part A (24 weeks) participants are randomly assigned in a double blind way to receive either empasiprubart plus a placebo that looks like IVIg or IVIg plus a placebo that looks like empasiprubart. After finishing Part A, all participants may enter Part B and receive empasiprubart for up to 96 weeks. The main goal is to see whether patients improve by at least one point on a disability scale (aINCAT) at week 24. The study also tracks strength, grip, walking time, patient reported quality of life and fatigue, work impact, antibody responses to the study drug, drug levels in the blood, and any side effects over the full study period.

Emily Hill, MD

Emily Hill, MD

Parkinson's disease

PD GENEration Genetic Registry

This study collects genetic test results and leftover DNA from people with Parkinson's to build a central, secure resource for future research. Adults who have a probable Parkinson's diagnosis and agree to genetic testing can join. Participants allow their data to be stored for research and can choose to be told their results for several PD-related genes. The study also provides genetic counseling so people can understand what their results mean. It is an observational, one-time study (cross-sectional) meant to find how common certain gene changes are and to help researchers studying Parkinson's. There is no drug or treatment given; the study involves surveys, genetic testing, and storing DNA for future studies.

Lauren E. Menzies, MD

Lauren E. Menzies, MD

Subacute

Phase 3

Cilostazol Prevent Recurrent Stroke

This is a phase 3, randomized trial testing whether adding the medicine cilostazol to a person's current antiplatelet drug (either aspirin or clopidogrel) helps prevent another stroke, heart attack, or death from blood vessel disease. People who had a stroke or mini‑stroke (TIA) in the past 180 days and who are taking one antiplatelet drug may join. Participants will be followed for up to 4 years to see how long it takes for major events (stroke, heart attack, or vascular death) to occur. The study will also track time to ischemic stroke and the time to any major bleeding events. People with a recent spontaneous brain bleed, significant heart failure, or a life expectancy under 6 months are not eligible. The trial is not yet recruiting.

Alberto Espay, MD

Alberto Espay, MD

Parkinson's disease | Movement Disorders

TQR-84 (Placebo Study)

Patients will be told they are receiving either a novel medication (TQR-84) or placebo. However, all participants will receive IR-CD/LD. We will evaluate the differences on motor improvement after levodopa introduction, as measured by the motor subscale of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS-III),13 between a positive framework (to enhance expectations) compared to a neutral framework (to dampen expectations).

Aram Zabeti, MD

Aram Zabeti, MD

Multiple Sclerosis

Phase 3

Studying a Switch in Treatment for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

This study is testing whether a daily oral medicine called remibrutinib works as well as the current treatment, ocrelizumab, for people with relapsing multiple sclerosis. People who have been on ocrelizumab for at least 18 months and are between 40 and 70 years old may join. The study will look at how MS changes over time using MRI scans, physical tests, and symptom reports. Participants may receive remibrutinib or continue ocrelizumab for up to two years, and those who finish this part may continue on remibrutinib for another two years. The study aims to learn whether switching to remibrutinib is safe, effective, and easier for patients.

Aram Zabeti, MD

Aram Zabeti, MD

Neuro-Immunology

INEBILIZUMAB IN ANTI-NMDA ENCEPHALITIS

There are currently no medicinal products approved for the treatment of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis, a rare disease. NMDAR encephalitis is a life-threatening, antibody-mediated autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system. Standard of care includes high-dose corticosteroids AND either intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) OR plasmapheresis. However, as many as 47% of patients may fail to respond to initial treatment at 4 weeks; thus, there is a high unmet medical need for more effective therapies. The pathogenesis of NMDAR encephalitis suggests that B cell depletion may be an effective avenue for therapeutic intervention. The anti-CD19 B cell-depleting activity of inebilizumab suggests that it may provide benefit as treatment for NMDAR encephalitis. This study aims to define the efficacy and safety of inebilizumab in reducing the level of disability in patients with NMDAR encephalitis as measured by modified Rankin score (mRS). If you think that you might have a potential participant contact the ExTINGUISH hotline 844-4BRAIN5 (844-427-2465)

Aram Zabeti, MD

Aram Zabeti, MD

Multiple Sclerosis

Stem Cell Transplant V/S BAT Therapy

This is a Randomized study to compare the efficacy, safety, immunologic effects, and cost-effectiveness of myeloablative and immunoablative therapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) versus best available therapy (BAT) over 72 months in participants with relapsing MS and continued MS disease activity despite treatment with DMTs.

Stacie Demel, DO, PhD

Stacie Demel, DO, PhD

Subacute

DECADE-Brain Health study

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most extreme subtype along the spectrum of CSVD that includes white matter hyperintensity (WMH), small vessel (lacunar) ischemic stroke and vascular cognitive impairment. We propose to re-enroll 400 (275 non-Hispanic European descent and 125 African-descent) participants of i3C DECADE study, (MPI: Bazzano, Urbina and Carmichael) which is following biracial cohorts in the Cincinnati, Ohio regions originally recruited as children in the 1970s and 1980s, for a 3-year (+/- 6 months) follow-up MRI, additional serial cognitive examinations and detailed dietary histories which will include a polyamine specific history and serial blood sampling. The proposal will copy the i3C DECADE exam including an identical MRI protocol and use the same recruitment and retention tools.

Stacie Demel, DO, PhD

Stacie Demel, DO, PhD

Subacute

Endovascular Treatment in Disabled Stroke

This is a prospective, observational study at multiple stroke centers to compare two commonly used care approaches for people who had moderate-to-severe disability before getting a large-vessel ischemic stroke. One approach is standard medical care (medications, blood pressure and cholesterol control, rehab and other supportive measures) and the other adds endovascular thrombectomy (mechanical removal of the clot). The study will enroll adults with pre-stroke disability (moderate to severe) who arrive within 24 hours of stroke symptoms and have a large artery blockage on brain imaging. The main goal is to compare how patients do at about 90 days after treatment-measuring functional outcome, return to prior level, quality of life, and safety (including death and bleeding in the brain). Results aim to guide care decisions for stroke patients who already had disabilities before their stroke.

David Robinson, MD, MS

David Robinson, MD, MS

Acute | Neurotrauma | Neuro-critical care | General

Evaluating brain injury from subdural hematomas using advanced imaging

We hope to conduct advanced MRIs on patients. We think these MRIs will help better understand how subdural hematomas injure the brain and keep people from fully recovering once the blood goes away.

Yasmin N. Aziz, MD

Yasmin N. Aziz, MD

Subacute

CAPTIVA MRI Biomarker Study

This is an observational MRI study done alongside the CAPTIVA clinical trial. People already enrolled in CAPTIVA who had a recent non-disabling stroke from severe narrowing (70-99%) of an intracranial artery can join. Participants get a detailed MRI scan within 14 days of CAPTIVA enrollment to look at artery plaque and blood flow. The study will follow participants for about 12 months to see if MRI features can help predict who will have another ischemic stroke in the same artery despite medical therapy. The goal is to find imaging markers that could guide future trials and improve care for patients with intracranial artery narrowing.

Michael D. Privitera, MD

Epilepsy

Testing a wearable device for seizures

This study tests a wearable device that tracks seizures, heart rhythm, breathing, and oxygen levels while people are already in the hospital for epilepsy monitoring. Participants wear the devices during their hospital stay. The information collected may help improve future seizure detection devices.

Alberto Espay, MD

Alberto Espay, MD

Parkinson's disease | Movement Disorders

SPARX3

This study is a Phase III multi-site, randomized, evaluator-masked, study of endurance exercise on 12 month, 18 month, and 24 month changes in the MDS-UPDRS Part III score. 370 participants will be randomly assigned to 2 groups: 1)60-65% HRmax and 2)80-85% HRmax 4 times per week. Secondary aims will test hypotheses related to ambulatory mobility, daily activity, cognition, fitness, quality of life, measures of dopaminergic neuronal integrity and blood-derived biomarkers of inflammation and neurotrophic factors.

Alberto Espay, MD

Alberto Espay, MD

Parkinson's disease | Movement Disorders

Dystonia Coalition Projects-3

The overall mission of the Dystonia Coalition is to develop a better understanding of the dystonias so that we may improve treatment. Presently, there are four related projects; the first three projects are grouped together because they are related. The last project will be open only to selected participants as an option. 1. Natural History (NH) Project: The aim of this observational project is to better characterize the heterogeneity of clinical manifestations among subjects with dystonia, how these manifestations evolve over time, and how they relate to other family members. A fuller understanding of clinical features and especially their evolution over time is an essential prerequisite for testing any potential disease-modifying therapies that could alter the course of the disorder. 2. Objective Measures (OM) Project: The aim of this project is to exploit technological advances for development of objective tools to measure the severity of dystonia. Current diagnostic and severity measures depend almost entirely on subjective clinician-rated or patient-rated scales. New technology could ultimately replace these subjective scales as outcome measures. They could also be used for telemedicine. This study is not interventional, but instead relies on video recordings or motion sensors that can non-invasively detect movements. 3. Biobank (BB) Project: The aim of this project is to develop a resource that expands the existing dystonia DNA biorepository to include other biomaterials. To date, no large multicenter open-access biorepository exists for any type of dystonia. Such a biobank is essential for improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of the dystonias, so that rational therapies can be planned. It also is essential for exploration of biomarkers of disease activity that may provide useful outcome measures in clinical trials, or insights into pathogenesis. This study also is not interventional. 4. Patient-Centered Outcomes (PCO) Project: The aim of this project is to delineate both between-subject and within-subject variations over time in response to the standard of care treatment with Botulinum toxin (BoNT) injections. Typically, injections are required about every 3 months. Therapeutic benefits emerge within the first week and then wear off after 8-16 weeks, creating a cyclical response known as the "yo-yo" effect. The development of any novel "add-on" therapeutics or replacement therapeutic is hampered by incomplete knowledge of individual temporal responses. Currently, measurement tools rely on clinical rating scales which are subjective, cumbersome for repeated frequent use, and require extensive expertise to apply. This project will develop a patient-facing tool on a hand-held electronic device, such as a smartphone. This is not an interventional study; it aims to collect data regarding responses to routine clinical treatments.

Lawrence Goldstick, MD

Lawrence Goldstick, MD

Multiple Sclerosis

Phase 3

Ublituximab Modified Regimen Study

This Phase 3b study tests a changed dosing plan of ublituximab, a medicine that targets B cells, in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The study has three parts: Part A is open to eligible participants and looks at MRI brain lesions over about 48 weeks; Part B is randomized and double-blind to study drug levels and compare to placebo up to 16 weeks; Part C enrolls people who had a suboptimal experience on another anti-CD20 treatment to see how they do on ublituximab. Main goals are to see if the modified schedule prevents new gadolinium-enhancing MRI lesions and to understand the drug's blood levels. Participants have regular visits for dosing, safety checks, and MRI scans. People with active infections, certain immune diseases, prior serious infusion reactions to anti-CD20 drugs, some prior cancer or prior use of specific immunosuppressive drugs are not allowed to join.

Alberto Espay, MD

Alberto Espay, MD

Parkinson's disease | Movement Disorders

PPMI

The Parkinson Progression Marker Initiative 2.0 (PPMI 2.0) is a longitudinal, observational, multi-center natural history study to assess progression of clinical features, digital outcomes, and imaging, biologic and genetic markers of Parkinson's disease (PD) progression in study participants with manifest PD, prodromal PD, and healthy controls. The overall goal of PPMI 2.0 is to identify markers of disease progression for use in clinical trials of therapies to reduce progression of PD disability.

Matthew Flaherty, MD

Matthew Flaherty, MD

Subacute

Phase 3

LIBREXIA: Milvexian for Stroke Prevention

This is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind study testing whether milvexian, an oral medicine that blocks Factor XIa, can prevent repeat ischemic strokes in people who recently had an acute ischemic stroke or a high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA). Adults who meet the entry rules and can start treatment within 48 hours of their event are randomly assigned to take milvexian or a matching placebo while continuing standard antiplatelet care. The main measure is time until the first new ischemic stroke, tracked for up to about 41 months. The study also looks at broader cardiovascular outcomes and safety, especially bleeding and liver effects. The goal is to see if milvexian reduces recurrent strokes without causing unacceptable side effects.

Rhonna Shatz, DO

Rhonna Shatz, DO

Memory Disorders

Alzheimer's National Registry for Treatment and Diagnostics

The ALZ-NET study is establishing a national registry to collect ongoing clinical and safety information for patients being evaluated for or treated with new FDA-approved therapies for Alzheimer's disease. This effort will help track how well these treatments work over time and their safety outcomes in everyday medical settings. Participating doctors and staff will receive training to ensure accurate data collection. By gathering a wide range of information, including cognitive and safety data as well as genetic and imaging biomarkers, ALZ-NET aims to improve care and support innovative research. They also plan to store biological samples and brain images from consenting participants. The study is open to adults 18 and older who are either considering, starting, or currently on new Alzheimer's treatments.

Stacie Demel, DO, PhD

Stacie Demel, DO, PhD

Acute

StrokeNet Thrombectomy Platform

STEP is a large, multi-center study testing ways to improve care for people who have an acute ischemic stroke caused by a blockage in a large or medium brain artery. The trial runs at many stroke centers and is set up so new treatments can be added over time. It studies several types of approaches: broadening who might get endovascular thrombectomy (a clot-removal procedure), testing new devices used during clot removal, testing medicines given along with the procedure, and testing early or pre-hospital tools and systems to speed care. People are randomly assigned to treatments so researchers can compare results. The main goal is to see which options help people have less disability 90 days after their stroke, while watching for harms like bleeding or death. The study adapts as results come in, so it can stop or expand parts that look better or worse.

Alberto Espay, MD

Alberto Espay, MD

Movement Disorders

Study of Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Diseases

The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which genetic and biological/molecular abnormalities may affect different patterns of symptoms within neurodegenerative conditions, namely PD/PD-like and AD/AD-like diseases. Patients will be followed annually after a comprehensive baseline visit.

Michael D. Privitera, MD

Epilepsy

Phase 1

Cannabidiol for Focal Seizures Study

This is an open-label, single-group study testing a cannabidiol (CBD) oral solution as an extra medicine for people with focal-onset seizures aged 12 to 75. Participants will keep their current anti-seizure medicines (1 to 4 drugs) and add the CBD solution. The main goal is to see whether CBD lowers the number of focal seizures compared to each person's baseline over about 16 weeks. The study will also look at safety, how the body handles the drug (pharmacokinetics), and whether brain imaging (fMRI) or thinking tests predict who responds best. Some people in the study may be early in their treatment and others may have hard-to-treat seizures. The study does not include people with non-epileptic events, recent CBD or cannabis use, certain allergies, or unstable medical or mental-health issues.

John G. Quinlan, MD

John G. Quinlan, MD

Neuromuscular

Using Voice Recordings to Measure Lung Function

This research is studying whether simple voice recordings, like counting out loud or holding a sound, can help measure lung function. It includes adults with neuromuscular diseases and healthy volunteers. These voice tests may help doctors monitor breathing when standard lung tests are difficult or unavailable.