Research Study Needs Volunteers – GABA Imaging Of Essential Tremor

Research Study Needs Volunteers – GABA Imaging Of Essential Tremor


Columbia PNG

Dr. Elan Louis and colleagues at Columbia University have undertaken a new research initiative. The objective is to use new advanced imaging methods to learn what is happening in the brains of people with ET. We are calling on the assistance of the ET community to help us complete this groundbreaking, NIH-funded research.

We are looking for two groups of people:

GROUP 1: PEOPLE WITH ET.

Interested candidates would comply with the following criteria:

  1. You have been diagnosed by a doctor as having ET (rather than dystonia, for example).  
  2. You are at least 70 years old.
  3. You did NOT have brain surgery for ET.
  4. You do NOT have any metals in your body (pacemakers, stents, prosthesis, etc.) – this would contraindicate performing an MRI scan of your brain.
  5. You do NOT receive treatment with primidone or topiramate.
  6. You are willing to have two interviews (one now and one in 3 years) with us at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. During each interview, after some questionnaires, an MRI scan of the brain will be performed. Each interview/scan will last approximately 3 hours.
  7. You are willing to consider becoming a brain donor in the future. We would discuss this further with you.

GROUP 2: FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DO NOT HAVE ET.

This “control” group is really important, and the study is in great need of such people.

Interested candidates would comply with the following criteria:

  1. You have NOT been diagnosed by a doctor as having a neurological condition like ET or another movement disorder.
  2. You are at least 70 years old.
  3. You did NOT have brain surgery.
  4. You do NOT have any metals in your body (pacemakers, stents, prosthesis, etc.) – this would contraindicate performing an MRI scan of your brain.
  5. You do NOT receive treatment with primidone or topiramate.
  6. You are willing to have two interviews (one now and one in 3 years) with us at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. During each interview, after some questionnaires, an MRI scan of the brain will be performed. Each interview/scan will last approximately 3 hours.

All participants will be compensated $125 after each interview (total compensation after completing the two interviews: $250).

If you are interested, send an email to: [email protected] or call (212) 305-8513.

Thank you all!

Nora C. Hernandez, M.D.
Clinical Research Coordinator
G.H. Sergievsky Center
Columbia University Medical Center
630 W168th St. P&S 16
NEW YORK, NY 10032

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