Exploring how low doses of ketamine can help treat Parkinson's disease
Official title: Mechanisms of Low-Dose Ketamine Treatment for Parkinson's Disease
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-10874780 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how low doses of ketamine might help people with Parkinson's disease by reducing unwanted movements that can happen with regular treatments, and it will involve some infusions and check-ups to see how it affects their symptoms and brain activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $357,871 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS122805-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874780 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who are experiencing movement difficulties and may be affected by L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Parkinson's disease or those who are not experiencing significant movement issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of low-dose ketamine on patients with Parkinson's disease, a condition that causes movement difficulties due to dopamine loss in the brain. The study aims to understand how ketamine can potentially reduce the severity of involuntary movements caused by traditional treatments like L-DOPA, which often lead to debilitating side effects. By examining the brain's electrical activity and plastic changes, the research seeks to identify a new therapeutic approach that could improve patient outcomes. Participants may receive low-dose ketamine infusions and undergo assessments to monitor changes in their symptoms and brain activity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option that alleviates symptoms of Parkinson's disease without the severe side effects associated with current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that low-dose ketamine can be effective in treating conditions like treatment-resistant depression and PTSD, suggesting potential for success in Parkinson's disease treatment as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Falk, Torsten — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Falk, Torsten
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.