View clinical trials related to Basal Ganglia Diseases.
Filter by:The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of a novel, personalized, tactile cueing system on gait automaticity. The researchers hypothesized that step-synchronized tactile cueing will reduce prefrontal cortex activity (improve automaticity) and improve gait variability (as well as gait speed). The researchers predict that improved automaticity with improved gait variability will be associated with increased activation of other than prefrontal cortical areas while walking (i.e., sensory-motor). To determine the effects of cueing, 60 participants with PD from will be randomized into one, of two, cueing interventions: 1) personalized, step-synchronized tactile cueing and 2) tactile cueing at fixed intervals as an active control group. In addition, the researchers will explore the feasibility and potential benefits of independent use of tactile cueing during a week in daily life for a future clinical trial. This project will characterize the cortical correlates of gait automaticity, the changes in gait automaticity with cueing in people with Parkinson's Disease, and how these changes translate to improvement in gait and turning. The long-term goal is to unravel the mechanisms of impaired gait automaticity in Parkinson's Disease.
The project is aimed at addressing the fundamental issue in antipsychotic therapeutics -the balance between mental state benefits and neurological risks.The latter cannot be overestimated and clinical skills in themselves are inadequately sensitive to refine practice. With all current and "pipeline" antipsychotics based on central dopamine blockade, there is little prospect that therapeutics can be improved by advances in pharmacology alone. The project uses, for the first time, technology that is not only simple, real-life and user-friendly but "modern" and socially held in high regards. The proposal depends on patients receiving antipsychotic medication where clinically indicated. At all times, subjects will receive clinically-indicated therapy. The major ethical issue will relate to the issue of informed consent in those suffering from major psychiatric disorder. This is a routine consideration in psychiatric practice and the investigators will seek guidance on this from the Consultant Psychiatrist responsible for potential participants and would not proceed with initial approaches in cases of doubt or absence of capacity. This is a pilot/feasibility study with no intention to utilise the data for commercialisation of the device or to expand the CE (Conformité Européenne) marking.