Clinical Research Center

Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience Clinical Research Center (CRC) proven model, and combined years of experience affords us the ability to provide Hawaii patients with groundbreaking new neuroscience treatment options.

The BRAIN Clinical Research Center is a highly sought after national clinical trial site and have a national reputation for successful completion and recruitment including rapid site start up. Its performance matrix scores at 90% of patients randomized and 95% patients completing studies. Site has a national reputation as a top-performing site and rapid site start up.  It has successfully completed over 150 clinical trials and actively involved in investigations of:

  • NIH NINDS Funded Hawaii site for NeuroCOVID Databank/Biobank
  • Alzheimer’s, MCI, Preclinical and other related neurodegenerative disorders
  • Parkinson’s, & other movement disorders including Huntington’s chorea, tremors
  • Epilepsy, Seizures including acute abortive therapies in overnight EMU
  • MS, Neuroimmunology, Vaccine research
  • Headache, Migraines and Pain research
  • Neuromuscular including myasthenia gravis, CIDP
  • Concussion, traumatic brain injury
  • Narcolepsy, insomnia and other sleep disorders
  • Neurodevice, neuromodulation studies
  • Rare Neurological Diseases

 

Few recent examples of successfully investigated, FDA approved and launched products include Cenobamate for Epilepsy, Inbrija for Parkinson’s, Kesimpta for MS, Daridorexant for Insomnia in recent years. 

Hawaii BRAIN ACTIVE RECRUITING neuroscience clinical trials

Fully equipped and staffed with dedicated full-time experienced research nurses, research coordinators, staff dedicated to regulatory, IRB submission, budgets and facilitates fully equipped for Phase I, II, III and IV Trial Capable with: –

  • Overnight PK studies in monitored unit
  • Biomarker (CSF, serum, genetic) sampling,
  • Phase 0 & Phase I Normal Volunteer and Patient Subject Studies
  • IV Infusion studies in IV Infusion Center
  • 20 Exam rooms with dedicated Monitor rooms
  • Central IRB for Rapid Site Start Up
  • On-site 3T MRI
  • On-site Radiology Department
  • Onsite Spinal Tap/Fluoroscopic LP
  • Onsite Pharmacy
  • Onsite IV Infusion Center
  • Onsite Emergency resuscitation equipment
  • Central Laboratories use & experience
  • Accredited Local Laboratory
  • Refrigerated, ambient temperature centrifuge
  • Refrigerators -20C freezer, -70 Freezer
  • Onsite ABRET accredited & CliniLab certified EEG & VEEG Labs
  • Onsite AASM Accredited & CliniLab certified Sleep Laboratory
  • IATA certified Lab
  • Ongoing GCP training
  • Onsite EMG, EEG
  • Locked/secure Drug storage temperature controlled and monitored daily

Unique Genotype contribution to National Clinical Trial Data

 

According to NIH NIMHD (National Institute on Minority Health & Health Disparities), one of America’s greatest challenges is reducing the profound disparity in health status of its racial and ethnic minority, rural, low-income, and other underserved populations.

For example, side effects like ARIA (Amyloid related imaging abnormalities) in the use of Alzheimer’s monoclonal antibody therapy is heavily determined by genotype including ApoE alleles.   In the CLARITY trial data submitted to FDA, out of the 1792 patients in the database, only 1 was of Native Hawaiians and Pacific islanders genotype, contributed by our site.

 

According to 2020 US census Bureau, Asian is the 2nd fastest growing minority after Hispanics and yet, it is one of the most under-represented groups in any US clinical trials.     We believe Hawaii can play an important role in reducing the disparity in minority participation & engagement in clinical trials or research especially for minority groups as defined by NIH National Institute on Minority Health & Health Disparities (NIMHD)

 

  • Asian Americans (7% of US & over 40% of Hawaii’s population) 
  • Native Hawaiians and Pacific islanders (10% of Hawaii’s population)
  • Underserved rural population (94% Hawaii’s landmass)

 

Hawaii is one of the most diverse US states and one of 6 states with majority minority population and home to several NIMHD designated US health disparity populations.   Our team focus on promoting and collecting data on Hawaii’s diverse population to enhance scientific knowledge and designing interventions to improve health outcomes by improving health care access, reduce health disparities especially for minorities like Asians, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders and underserved and underrepresented groups.

Meet Our

Multidisciplinary Team

Kore Kai Liow, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.A.N.

Neurology
Neuroscience Chair

Director, Memory Disorders Center, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Neuro COVID Clinic, Center for Neuromodulation, Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience
Principal Investigator, Clinical Research Center, BRITL (Brain Research, Innovation & Translation Labs) BCI (Brain Computer Interface) & Brain Mapping Lab
Clinical Professor of Medicine (Neurology), Graduate Faculty, Clinical & Translational Research, University of Hawai`i John A. Burns School of Medicine

Nicholas Anderson, MD

Sleep Medicine

Director, Sleep and Insomnia Center
Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine,
University of Hawai`i John Burns School of Medicine

Darren DuGas, M.D.

Neurology

Director, Video-EEG Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU)
Co-Director, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Sub- Investigator, Epilepsy Research Unit

Natalia Gonzalez Caldito, M.D.

Neurology

Director, MS & Neuroimmunology Center
Director, ALS & Neuromuscular Center & IV Infusion Center
Sub investigator, MS & Neuroimmunology & Neuromuscular Research Unit

Eonjung Angeline Kim, M.D.

Neurology

Director, Headache & Facial Pain Center
Sub- Investigator, Headache Research Unit

Janette Abramowitz, M.D.

Neurology

Research Faculty, Brain Mapping Lab, Brain Research, Innovation & Translation Labs
Residency: Combined Neurology & Psychiatry University of Massachusetts Medical School Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Alexander Takayesu, M.D., M.P.H.

Psychiatry

Perinatal Psychiatry, Post Partum Depression
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine
SubInvestigator, Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience

Paul Smith, M.D.

Lifestyle Medicine

Director, Self Care & Wellness Center
Sub-investigator, Clinical Research Center
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine (Neurology), University of Hawai`i John A. Burns School of Medicine

Chris Larrinaga, APRN-BC, MSN, CNRN

Neurology, Neuroscience

Sleep Medicine
Sub-Investigator, Clinical Research Center

Nicole Evans, PA-C

Neurology, Neuroscience

Sub-Investigator, Clinical Research Center

Qi Zhi, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC

Neurology, Neuroscience

Memory Disorders
Sub-Investigator, Clinical Research Center

Qing X. Li PhD

Basic Science, Neuroscience

Professor, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu

Katy Tarrit, Ph.D.

Information and Computer Sciences, AI (Artificial Intelligence)
NeuroAI Research Lab/Alzheimer's Neural Network EEG (ANNE) Lab


Assistant Professor, Katy Tarrit, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Information and Computer Sciences
University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Our team is committed to reducing the disparity in health status of its racial and ethnic minority, rural, low-income, and other underserved populations.  We have therefore focused our efforts in caring for underserved, minority, diverse patient populations.  Click to review our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and work undertaken by Center for Neuroscience Diversity especially for the Asian Americans and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Population (AANHPI). 

For more
Information

contact the research hotline at (808) 564-6141 or email: [email protected]

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