High-intensity endurance exercise for early Parkinson's (SPARX3)
Study in Parkinson Disease of Exercise Phase 3 Clinical Trial: SPARX3
['FUNDING_U01'] · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11375718
High-intensity endurance exercise is being used to try to slow worsening of movement and non-movement symptoms in people recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11375718 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would join a Phase 3 study comparing a high-intensity endurance exercise program (about 80-85% of your maximum heart rate) to a lower-intensity program for people newly diagnosed with Parkinson's who have not yet started dopaminergic medications. Participants are asked to exercise roughly three times per week for at least six months while staff monitor heart rate, symptoms, safety, and collect blood samples for markers like BDNF and inflammation. The trial builds on a prior multicenter Phase 2 effort that showed people can safely keep up high-intensity workouts and adhere to the program. The study aims to find out whether higher-intensity exercise can slow the progression of motor and non-motor signs of Parkinson's disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who have not yet started dopaminergic medications and who can safely perform moderate to high-intensity exercise.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced Parkinson's, major heart or orthopedic problems that prevent high-intensity exercise, or those already far into medication treatment are unlikely to receive benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could slow disease progression and provide a first-line, non-drug option to help preserve function in early Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical, epidemiological, and a Phase 2 SPARX study showed symptom benefits and that participants can adhere to high-intensity exercise, but definitive proof that high-intensity exercise slows disease progression is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CORCOS, DANIEL M. — NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: CORCOS, DANIEL M.
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 below.