A Major Step Forward in Narcolepsy Treatment
Mid-West Center for Sleep Disorders (MWCSD) is proud to announce that we are now actively enrolling patients in the Brilliance Phase III Clinical Trial — a landmark study investigating a novel investigational therapy for narcolepsy, sponsored by Alkermes.
This trial represents one of the most significant advances in narcolepsy research in recent years, and we are honored to serve as an investigational site right here in Mid-Michigan.
What Is the Brilliance Trial?
The Brilliance trial is a Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the safety and efficacy of an Alkermes investigational compound for adults living with narcolepsy — a chronic neurological disorder that causes overwhelming daytime sleepiness, sudden muscle weakness (cataplexy), and disrupted nighttime sleep.
Narcolepsy affects an estimated 1 in 2,000 people in the United States, yet it remains widely underdiagnosed and undertreated. The Brilliance trial aims to bring new, effective treatment options to patients who continue to struggle despite existing therapies.
Why This Matters
For too long, patients with narcolepsy have had limited therapeutic options. Alkermes has been at the forefront of developing innovative medicines for serious neurological and psychiatric conditions, and the Brilliance trial builds on that legacy.
At MWCSD, our Research & Medical Director, Dr. Vishal Saini, M.D., FAASM, is serving as Principal Investigator for this trial. Dr. Saini currently leads six concurrent Phase II/III clinical trials and brings deep expertise in rare and complex sleep disorders to this work.
"Narcolepsy is one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed sleep conditions we encounter. The Brilliance trial gives our patients access to a potentially life-changing therapy before it is widely available — and contributes to the science that will benefit narcolepsy patients everywhere." — Dr. Vishal Saini, M.D., FAASM
Who May Be Eligible?
You may qualify to participate in the Brilliance trial if you:
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Have a confirmed diagnosis of narcolepsy (Type 1 or Type 2)
- Experience excessive daytime sleepiness despite current treatment
- Are willing to attend scheduled study visits at one of our Michigan locations
- Meet all other inclusion/exclusion criteria as determined by our research team
Eligibility is determined on an individual basis. Our research coordinators will guide you through the full screening process at no cost to you.
What to Expect as a Participant
Participating in a clinical trial at MWCSD means you will receive close, attentive medical care from our specialized team throughout the entire study. All study-related visits, evaluations, and investigational medication are provided at no charge to participants.
As a trial participant, you will:
- Undergo a thorough sleep medicine evaluation
- Receive study medication or placebo (randomly assigned)
- Attend regular follow-up visits with our research team
- Have your sleep, daytime functioning, and overall health carefully monitored
- Contribute to research that may help millions of narcolepsy patients in the future
About Alkermes
Alkermes plc is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative medicines in the fields of neuroscience. With decades of experience and a robust pipeline, Alkermes brings scientific rigor and patient focus to every program — including the Brilliance trial.
Learn more about Alkermes at alkermes.com.
Interested in Participating?
If you or someone you care for has narcolepsy and would like to learn more about the Brilliance trial, we encourage you to take the next step today.
Visit our Sleep Research page to complete a brief interest form and one of our research coordinators will reach out to discuss eligibility and answer any questions you may have — with no obligation.
You can also reach our research team directly by calling (517) 887-6733.
Take the first step toward better sleep — and help advance the science of sleep medicine for everyone.