For Patients get involved with Research at the cng
Our scientific discoveries are built on involving patients in every aspect of our research. Your experience with the disease informs our approach, your donations help us better understand their impact & design treatments, and your participation in clinical trials drive forward treatment options.
Get involved in research
Clinical Trial Involvement
We offer several ways to get involved in research studies and clinical trials. If you or a loved one would like to join us in the fight to combat neurodegenerative disorders, including myotonic dystrophy, ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease, and neuropsychiatric disorders, please consider volunteering for a study or trial.
Brain Donation Program
The generous gift of brain donation helps researchers to understand the disease changes and determine effectiveness of therapies on the disease process.This allows people to contribute for many years after their death.
Blood and Tissue Collection
Looking for an simple way to contribute to scientific research without joining clinical trial? One incredible way to help move research forward is to donate tissues, such as blood and skin cells, to our biospecimen collection.
Disease Focus Areas
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control.
Myotonic Dystrophy
Myotonic dystrophy is part of a group of inherited disorders called muscular dystrophies. Although it is the most common form of muscular dystrophy, it also affects many other body systems, including the heart and brain.
Spinocerebellar Ataxias (SCAs)
SCA is one of a group of genetic disorders characterized by slowly progressive incoordination of gait and is often associated with poor coordination of hands, speech, and eye movements.
Huntington Disease (HD)
HD is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities usually during their prime working years and has no cure.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly; beginning with subtle memory loss and progressing relentlessly. AD ultimately involves higher cognitive functions, leading to complete incapacitation and death.
Novel Repeat Expansion Diseases & Other Diseases of Interest
The field of neurogenetic diseases, is constantly growing and evolving. Other diseases of interest to CNG faculty include Alzheimer’s disease, neuropsychiatric disorders, cancer, macular degeneration and many more.