I also am participating in some studies! The trial finder is a great resource to find out about trials going on. Check it out.
https://foxtrialfinder.michaeljfox.org/

My husband is doing them with me as a non-PD control participant. It has been bonding and dare I say - fun!!?? - to do this together! lol We do have a lot of fun actually as we usually take off a day of work to do them and we have met some incredible people, nurses & doctors, and other medical people. And sometimes we even get a free lunch.

I have used these opportunities to ask tons of questions and get some 'free" medical information and guidance from these top notch medical people. Participating in these studies really are a win win for everyone! So I whole heartily second Alex's suggestion! Volunteer!!

As an example of the fun we have had. One of the studies has us do regular cognitive testing. I did my first testing about 3 months before Hubby did his. One of the tests required me to name things (nouns) that start with an F during a one minute period. I have never been very good at responding to these kinds of tests under pressure - even before I had PD. And since this was my first time doing this, I was extremely nervous. As soon as she said go I started naming things that came to my mind - frog, friend, fairy, etc. I named about 5 things and then a certain f word came into my head. I didn't want to say that word, so I tried to move past it which just made it worse and I ended up freezing, only coming up with a few more f words. I did much better on the rest of the tests, fortunately - or I would have diagnosed myself with total dementia! When we left, my husband asked me what happened and I explained. He started laughing and then said - you should have just said it and moved on.

Well - fast forward, to his test. I was in the room sitting across from him while he did the same tests I had done previously. (So not fair as he was prepared. lol ) The nurse then gave him the letter test and said name as many nouns as you can that start with the letter F. I could tell he was surprised because he thought she would give him a different letter. And then she said go. I tried really hard not to look at him because I was about to burst out laughing. He named off a few words then - we both looked at each other and I could literally see the same F word flash through his brain. We couldn't help ourselves and we both burst out laughing. He quickly tried to compose himself and went on to say a few more words, but I could tell he was struggling because this word was stuck in his mind and he did not want to say it, plus he was also trying really hard to not look at me so that he would not start laughing again. The nurse just stared at us like we were nuts. (which we were).

Anyways, Hubby ended up doing as poor as I did on that test. And we had to explain to the nurse why we were laughing so hard when it was over. She replied - why didn't you just say it and move on? I then jabbed hubby and said - yeah dear - why DIDN"T you just say it and move on - hhhmmmm???

Ok - maybe you had to be there! lol But we do have fun and keep everything light and we laugh a lot! Trust me - there is a lot to laugh at in these situations!!! And Alex is right - it feels good!!!

As a newbie I am looking forward to sharing my journey as a pwp. I have resisted taking any medications for the last 3 years against the advice of my neurologist who has prescribed Madopar. I have recently heard about the light therapy process. I would be very interested if others have heard of this or have any experience. It has been invented by Dr Greg Willis of the Bronowski Institute. There is a patent application which seems to fully describe the process. Here is the link. https://www.google.com/patents/WO2012164393A1?cl=en&dq=google+patents+gregory+lynn+willis&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yl2RUqu8M-jliAfP_YCwBA&ved=0CHEQ6AEwCA
I have had one consult with Dr Willis and am currently just starting the regime for the next month.

That sounds interesting. Let us know how it works for you.

GREAT TO READ ABOUT ALL THE VOLUNTARY WORK GOING ON. IT CREATES A WIN, WIN, WIN SITUATION.
FOR ME IT MAKES ME FEEL USEFUL,
IT'S MY WAY OF PUTTING SOMETHING BACK.

WHEN IT COMES TO DBS, I FEEL DUTY BOUND TO PLAY A PART. I DO WHAT I DO, NOT TO LOOK GOOD, RATHER TO FEEL GOOD, AND IT MOST CERTAINLY FEELS GOOD.

MAY WE ALL KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

MAINTAIN A WINNING POSITION..
STEWART / ALIVEO

My husband volunteer for a study where you had to wear a visor that put you in a room, with items you had to pick out and also water plants. It was kind of virtual reality. However, he never got to do the study because they put him through a series of testing to see if he was eligible to do the study. He didn't pass, which was kind of sad.
This study was done by university students and they were eventually going to make a computer program to help people with PD. and the ironical part about it, is that my husband would be a candidate to use the program when it was done.
They also wanted him to wear a meter to see his activities for 10 days and also keep a journal of his activities during the day. It was during the hot July, so he said no thanks.
I haven't been ask to do any studies like your husband though.