Research Center Profile:
Center for Neurosciences
Devices
Neurology
Oncology
Pediatrics/Neonatology
THE CENTER FOR NEUROSCIENCES (CNS) is Southern Arizona’s largest and longest-standing neuroscience medical practice whose mission is to deliver the highest standard of care. CNS has a dedicated Clinical Research Program with seven Principal Investigators, a full-time research nurse and a full time research coordinator. The CNS investigators collectively have vast experience conducting numerous phase II -IV clinical trials in a broad range of neurologic diseases affecting adults and children.
The CNS Research Program was initiated in January 2009, however CNS Investigators and Staff have many years experience in conducting clinical trials previously at various facilities. They have worked with most major pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations. Therapeutic areas that are currently the focus of CNS’ Clinical Research Program include brain tumors, epilepsy (Adult and Peds), Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, headache/migraine (Adult and Peds), multiple sclerosis, pain and movement disorders.
In 2008, CNS opened a 30,000-square-foot, all digital, outpatient facility which brings the most advanced level of neurological care available to patients. CNS neurologists have vast experience in neurophysiology and the skilled neurophysiology technicians perform numerous electroneurodiagnostic tests daily. CNS has an on-site MRI and CT, multiple exam rooms, a laboratory with centrifuge and a -20 freezer, secure study drug storage, an ECG machine and a monitor room with high-speed internet access. CNS also has a dedicated Interventional Pain Management Program and Radiation Oncology Center.
Epilepsy: David Teeple, MD - Board-certified Neurologist; Fellowship-trained in Epilepsy, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, has been a Principal Investigator on numerous phase II-III epilepsy clinical trials.
Neuro-Oncology: Michael Badruddoja, MD - Board-certified Neurologist; Fellowship-trained in Neuro-Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, RTOG Member
General Neurology:
Horace Noland, MD - Board-certified Neurologist; has been PI on over 30 neurology clinical trials
Francisco Valdivia, MD - Board-certified Neurologist;has been Sub-investigator on over 15 neurology clinical trials, special interest in Multiple Sclerosis.
Pediatric Neurology: Dinesh Talwar, MD - Board-certified in Child Neurologist and Clinical Neurophysiologist; Fellowship-trained in EEG and Neurophysiology, University of Minnesota; special interest in childhood epilepsy and migraine
Monica Chacon, MD - Board-certified Child Neurologist; Fellowship-trained in Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center; special interest in childhood epilepsy
Robert Foote, MD - Board certified Neurologist, special interest in movement disorders and Parkinson’s disease has been a Principal Investigator on several neurology clinical trials
Abhay Sanan, MD - Board certified Neurosurgeon, Special interest in Brain Tumors, Radiosurgery, Skull Base and Cerebrovascular Surgery, Spinal Degenerative Disorders, and Trigeminal Neuralgia. Interested in medical device trials for the spine.
Marjorie Pazzi, RN, BSN is the Site Director and Senior Research Nurse. She has been coordinating clinical trials for over 7 years and has 20 years experience in neuroscience nursing. She is a Certified Clinical Research Professional.
Kelly Wallen is a Clinical Research Coordinator. She has a BS in physiology.
With over 200 patient visits per day, the Center for Neurosciences has a very extensive patient base from which to draw. CNS not only serves the metropolitan Tucson area, but also due to several outreach clinics serves 5 surrounding counties reaching about 1.5 million people in Southern Arizona. This region has a very culturally and ethnically diverse patient population, with 60% Caucasian, 30% Hispanic, 3% African American, 3% Native American, and 3% Asian. Three of our principal investigators are fluent Spanish speakers.
All Principal Investigators, Sub-Investigators and research staff have CITI program training.
CNS has worked with many central IRBs, including Copernicus, Sterling, Quorum, and Schulman. For hospital based studies, we have experience with the Carondelet Health Network Human Subjects Committee. CNS works diligently to expeditiously finalize clinical trial agreements.
If you are interested in contacting this center to discuss placing a clinical
trial there, please complete and send the email form below. A representative from
the research center will then follow up with you.
