High-intensity endurance exercise for people newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (SPARX3)
Study in Parkinson Disease of Exercise Phase 3 Clinical Trial: SPARX3
['FUNDING_U01'] · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11160570
People newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease will do regular high‑intensity endurance exercise to find out if it slows how quickly their symptoms get worse.
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-11160570 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll start a supervised aerobic exercise program soon after diagnosis, before starting dopaminergic medications. The trial compares high‑intensity workouts (about 80–85% of max heart rate) to lower intensity sessions several times per week with careful monitoring. Sessions are supervised and safety, fitness, movement, and biomarkers like BDNF and blood tests will be tracked over time. The goal is to see whether a specific exercise dose can slow 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 are medically able to perform supervised aerobic exercise.
Not a fit: People with advanced Parkinson's, those already on full dopaminergic therapy, or those with medical conditions that prevent safe aerobic exercise are unlikely to benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a non‑drug first‑line approach that slows symptom progression and delays need for Parkinson's medications.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory, observational, and a prior Phase II SPARX study have shown promise and feasibility for high‑intensity exercise, but a definitive Phase III result is still needed.
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.