Participate in Clinical Neuroscience Research
Actively Enrolling Studies
Study directors: Kevin Shapiro, MD PhD, and Elysa Marco, MD
Recruiting: Yes
Study Title: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase IIb, multi-center, 12-week prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gemlapodect in adult and adolescent patients with Tourette’s Syndrome
Condition: Tourette’s Syndrome
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out whether gemlapodect, an investigational medication, can reduce tics in individuals with Tourette’s Syndrome.
Don't see a study you qualify for? We are actively recruiting for general research. Fill out your information, what studies you might be interested in, and our team will contact you.
Allevia Tourette's Study for Adolescents
Ages 16-17 years old
Bay Area and LA County
Emalex Expanded Access Tourette's Study
Ages 6-50 Years old
Bay Area and LA County
Neuren Study for Children with Phelan McDermid Syndrome
Ages 3-12 years old
Bay Area (enrolling nationally)
Allevia Tourette's Study for Adolescents
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion criteria:
16-17 years old
Diagnosed (or suspected) Tourette’s Syndrome
Moderate-to-severe motor and vocal tics
Exclusion criteria:
Uncontrolled seizure disorders
Unstable medical or psychiatric illness
Conditions such as functional tic-like disorder, Huntington’s chorea, malignant TS, autism, severe anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or Parkinson’s disease
Current CBT, CBiT, or neurostimulation
Current use of medications for tics – contact our study team to discuss
What's Involved?
Testing: Comprehensive tic assessments, psychiatric questionnaires, and medical evaluations
Frequency of visits: 12 visits over 4 months, 10 in-clinic and 2 telehealth visits
Costs: No costs will be charged for any of the study procedures
Payment: In return for the time, effort, and travel expenses, participants will be compensated $100 per visit
Location and Contact Information
Location: Cortica Marin and Cortica Glendale
Coordinator: Kelly Olvany – kolvany@corticacare.com – (331) 272-1322
Emalex Expanded Access Tourette's Study
Study directors: Kevin Shapiro, MD PhD, and Elysa Marco, MD
Recruiting: Yes
Study Title: An Open Label Expanded Access Program Intended to Provide Treatment with Ecopipam (EBS-101) to Children, Adolescents, and Adults in the U.S. with Tourette’s Syndrome
Condition: Tourette’s Syndrome
Purpose: "Compassionate Use" (also known as Expanded Access) is a pathway for patients with a serious condition to gain access to an investigational medical product for treatment outside of traditional clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available. The primary goal is to provide Ecopipam to patients while the drug moves toward formal FDA approval. There is no "placebo." All participants in this program receive the active medication.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion criteria:
6-50 years old
Diagnosed (or suspected) Tourette’s Syndrome
Moderate-to-severe motor and vocal tics
You have previously tried an FDA-approved medication for TD (like aripiprazole or haloperidol) that was not effective, caused side effects, or you did not have access to these medication options.
Exclusion criteria:
Unstable medical or psychiatric illness
Current use of other medications – contact our study team to discuss
What's Involved?
- Visits: The program includes an initial screening, followed by monthly visits for the first year, and visits every 3–6 months thereafter.
Duration: Participants may stay in the program until the drug becomes commercially available.
Costs: No costs will be charged for any of the study procedures
Payment: As this is not a traditional clinical trial, subjects will not be paid for their participation.
Location and Contact Information
Location: Cortica Marin and Cortica Glendale
Coordinator: Kelly Olvany – kolvany@corticacare.com – (331) 272-1322
Neuren Study for Children with Phelan McDermid Syndrome
Study directors: Kevin Shapiro, MD PhD, and Elysa Marco, MD
Recruiting: Yes
Study Title: A Phase 3 study of NNZ-2591 in Pediatric Participants with Phelan McDermid Syndrome
Condition: Phelan McDermid Syndrome
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out whether NNZ-2591, an investigational medication, can improve communication and life skills in children with SHANK3 mutations.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion criteria:
3-12 years old
Clinical diagnosis of Phelan McDermid Syndrome with documented SHANK3 genetic abnormality.
Body weight > 10kg (22 lbs) at initial visit
Exclusion criteria:
Uncontrolled seizure disorders
Unstable medical or psychiatric illness
Current treatment with more than 3 psychotropic medications
Current use of certain medications – contact our study team to discuss
What's Involved?
- Testing: Comprehensive cognitive assessments, psychiatric questionnaires, and medical evaluations
Frequency of visits: 11 visits over 5 months, 5 in-clinic and 6 telehealth visits
Costs: No costs will be charged for any of the study procedures. We are able to provide comprehensive travel support to enroll subjects from outside California
Payment: In return for the time, effort, and travel expenses, participants will be compensated $100 per on-site visit
Location and Contact Information
Location: Cortica Marin
Coordinator: Kelly Olvany – kolvany@corticacare.com – (331) 272-1322
The Cortica Innovation Network strives to support deeper understanding of the causes of autism and neurodevelopmental differences; to improve clinical methods for assessing cognitive and behavioral abilities over time; and to help discover and promote the availability of safer and more effective treatments for children and adults.
