View clinical trials related to Parkinson Disease.
Filter by:This is a double blind placebo controlled trial in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH). Investigators hypothesize that the study drug (droxidopa) may improve cerebral perfusion more robustly than systemic BP, possibly by direct action within the CNS vasculature. This study is designed to determine if droxidopa improves cerebral perfusion measures in PD patients with NOH, in addition to peripheral BP measures and subjective responses.
The use of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) has been proven useful in the management of gait disturbances induced by Parkinson's disease (PD). Typically, the stimuli used to provide RAS consist of metronome or music-based sounds, which are not related with the auditory experience of walking. Based on previous laboratory research, it is hypothesized that the use of ecological sounds deriving from biological motion (i.e., footstep sounds) could have a greater impact compared to artificial sounds (i.e., metronome sounds), within a rehabilitation program. In a double-blind experiment, it was investigated the effects of 5 weeks of supervised rehabilitation integrated with RAS. Thirty-two individuals affected by PD (age 68.2 ± 10.5, Hoehn and Yahr 1,5-3) were randomly assigned to one of the two conditions (artificial vs. ecological sounds). Spatio-temporal parameters of gait and clinical variables were assessed before the rehabilitation period, at its end, and after a 3-month follow-up. The results revealed that the rehabilitation program integrated with RAS had positive effects on the majority of objective and subjective measures, independently of the type of sound. However, when the two groups were examined separately, the patients assigned to the ecological RAS condition were the only who improved both in terms of cadence and gait speed. Overall, the hypothesized greater effect of the ecological sounds compared to artificial sounds was only partially supported by data.
The need for non-invasive, non-pharmacological and cost-effective therapeutic options has revived the use of transcranial current stimulation, either direct (tDCS) or alternating (tACS), in a wide range of pathologies and cognitive disturbances. Results, although often promising, are not unequivocal, possibly due to different stimulation parameters and sites, or non-homogenous patient selection. tDCS has been widely applied but few studies have focused on tACS which has the advantage of potentially entraining brain oscillations at the same frequency of stimulation. This overcomes the basic mechanism of tDCS which deploys anodal or cathodal currents to broadly excite or inhibit supposedly dysfunctional underlying cortex. Whether a stimulation paradigm based on sound neurophysiological markers could provide a better and longer-lasting clinical outcome has not yet been ascertained. The investigators aim to establish, with a trans-disease approach, categories characterized by defective EEG oscillatory activity and related dysfunctional networks. This classification, expected as the result of the first stage of this project, will guide the stimulation paradigm: categories with a pathologically low-band EEG prevalence will be treated with high-frequency tACS, and vice-versa, while the stimulation site will correspond to the defective sites of pathological EEG band maps. Parkinson's disease (PD), the EEG marker of which is a shift towards fast frequencies, and neuropathic pain (NP), with an EEG prevalence of slow bands, will be considered. In order to categorize pathologies on the basis of their EEG frequencies, EEG power spectrums will be derived from resting EEG, and cortical oscillatory reactivity will be assessed by EEG-TMS (electroencephalographic-Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) co-registration. This method appears to elicit state-dependent brain oscillatory response and is expected to support power spectrum data. The identified prevailing EEG band will be used subsequently to reconstruct scalp EEG band distribution. tACS paradigms will be tailored according to these findings: the anode will be placed over the scalp area corresponding to the dysfunctional rhythm and frequency will be set in order to correct the prevailing EEG band (slow stimulation if fast frequencies prevail, and vice-versa). The translational element of this research proposal will consist of its clinical application in day-to-day practice for the benefit of people with the target conditions. The patient-groups, after undergoing the neurophysiology studies, will be tested with disease-specific scales and a neuropsychological battery. A 2-weeks tACS, either real or active sham, protocol will then be performed (30 minutes/day, 5 days/week), associated with an ad hoc rehabilitation protocol (60 minutes/day 5 days/week). During the last day of stimulation, patients will be tested again with the disease specific scales, neuropsychological battery and standard EEG to detect EEG frequencies modifications. At 4-weeks follow up, the same tests and EEG recording will be carried out, to assess the persistence of after-effects. The expected result is a valid, non-invasive and cost-effective stimulation paradigm based on sound neurophysiologic markers which transcend traditional disease classifications.
This study is a double blind comparative study examining the effectiveness of the rTMS treatment on Freezing of Gait (FOG) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The investigators hypothesize that treatment with rTMS on supplemental motor area will improve gait quality and decrease the frequency of FOG in PD patients.
Recently, Mark Morris Dance Group, and created Moving Through Glass (MTG), a project that was funded by Google, as a portable, round-the-clock extension of the internationally acclaimed Dance for Parkinson's Disease (PD)®. When a user activates Glass, participants can choose from a variety of different exercises, like "warm me up" or "balance me." Once selected, they see the founder instructors of the Dance for PD® projected in front of them. As a single site research study at Syracuse University, researchers are conducting the pilot phase of the research project. The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of MTG on quality of life and motor functions (i.e. balance, gait, fall efficacy). Participation in the study required three visits to Women's Building in a period of four weeks and about 1-3 hours of the participant's time at each visit. During the first visit, 1 participants reviewed the consent form, completed Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and if qualified participated in a face-to-face interview. Participants were given survey package to fill out at home and were given a week to complete all the paperwork. On the second visit, they returned the completed survey package, were given physical assessments and were taught how to use Google Glass. The participants left with Google Glass, log sheet, and survey package. After 3 weeks, participants came to Women's Building for the last visit and the physical assessments were repeated, followed by an exit interview.
This project aims to determine the effects of the HiBalance program on neuroplastic changes in people with mild to moderate Parkinson´s disease. The main hypothesis is that highly challenging exercise will lead to greater gait and balance ability, increased levels of physical activity and an improved health related quality of life. The investigators further hypothesize that neuroplasticity changes will be seen in corresponding areas of the brain, neuropsychological changes on cognitive test measures, and that exercise will inhibit the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the brain through the mediation of neurotrophic factors.
Patients with Parkinson's Disease who undergo Deep Brain Stimulation surgery receive symptom relief due to electrical stimulation of the brain. The target for the stimulation, in many cases, is the subthalamic nucleus (STN). The brain area just above the STN is called the rostral Zona Incerta (rZI). The rZI may be a potential target for deep brain stimulation, in combination with the STN.
The Measuring Parkinson's Disease Progression study aims to use MRI scans and a controlled dose of levodopa to find a biomarker (objective measurement) of Parkinson's disease (PD). Biomarkers would help determine the effectiveness of therapies in slowing or stopping PD progression, and accelerate the pace of research.
This study will assess the safety and tolerability of daily oral administration of nilotinib (150-300mg once daily) in Parkinson's Disease.
Multicenter, open-label dose-escalation study