Central Nervous System (CNS) Studies

Gain a competitive edge with the depth and breadth of PPD’s expertise in central nervous system (CNS) drug and device studies, including psychiatric and neurological indications and chronic pain. Our global operations team develops the best strategies to conduct studies and navigate the regulatory process. PPD optimizes efficiencies with:

• CNS consultants
• Multinational regulatory expertise
• Dedicated program management
• Strategic planning

Effective Management of Complex Studies

With expertise in more than 35 different psychiatric and neurological disorders, our clinically trained CNS teams are led by senior scientists and clinicians with extensive CNS development experience.

Global Investigator Network

Our global investigator network includes more than 2,600 psychiatrists, neurologists, neurological surgeons and gerontologists with demonstrated experience in a variety of clinical trial models. Our trial capabilities are supported by well-established relationships with university and state hospitals, Veterans Affairs medical centers and private inpatient facilities.

CNS Consultants

Our CNS consultants are closely involved in the education of our project teams, advising on protocol feasibility and consulting to our clients.

Device Development Expertise in CNS

PPD Medical Device, a division of PPD, has specialized expertise in device development, finding solutions for nervous system disorders and helping to improve quality of life regarding pain management and cessation. Our experience includes:

• Essential tremors
• Parkinson's therapies
• Carotid stenting
• Headache management with implantable stimulators versus medications

Study Experience (2002-2006)

We have strategic development planning and program management expertise for 29 CNS products, many of them global studies:

Psychiatric indications

• Anxiety
• Attention deficit disorder
• Depression
• Dementia
• Impulsive aggression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Sleep disorders
• Social phobia
• Substance dependence

Neurological indications

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Brain or head trauma
• Epilepsy
• Erectile dysfunction
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke

Pain studies

• Acute and chronic pain
• Dental pain *
• Low back pain
• Migraine
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Neuropathic pain
• Pain management
• Postoperative pain

Special populations

• Infant
• Pediatric
• Geriatric

* More than 16 years’ experience at our PPD dental research clinic