How genetics and aerobic exercise can slow down Parkinson's disease
Official title: The Interplay between Genetics and Aerobic Exercise to Slow Parkinson's disease (GEARS) Trial
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11012304 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how doing high-energy aerobic exercise might help slow down Parkinson's disease and whether your genes play a role in this, and it's for people with Parkinson's who will join exercise programs in their communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | January 18, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $552,473 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS132437-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012304 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 interested in participating in high-intensity aerobic exercise programs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or those unable to participate in aerobic exercise may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise on slowing the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) and how genetics may influence these effects. The study will involve 250 individuals with PD participating in community-based exercise programs across multiple locations. By comparing the outcomes of these exercise programs, the research aims to determine if they can effectively alter disease progression and if certain genetic factors enhance these benefits. Participants will engage in supervised exercise sessions designed to maximize their aerobic fitness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective approach to slowing the progression of Parkinson's disease through community-based exercise programs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results for high-intensity aerobic exercise in improving symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but this specific approach examining genetics in a community setting is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alberts, Jay L. — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Alberts, Jay L.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how aerobic exercise helps advanced Parkinson’s disease patients
A study will test whether long-term high-intensity aerobic exercise improves motor and thinking abilities in people with advanced Parkinson’s disease who have deep brain stimulation, and will explore what brain changes accompany any benefits.
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How genes and aerobic exercise might slow Parkinson's
This project sees whether high-intensity aerobic exercise in community programs can slow Parkinson's disease and whether people’s genes affect those benefits.
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Gut-brain clues in Parkinson’s disease: supplement to a large registry
A plant-wide supplement to an NIH program will enroll people with Parkinson’s, with and without GI symptoms, plus healthy controls, to study how gut function, brain signals, and sleep rhythms relate to Parkinson’s symptoms.
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Gut-brain connections in Parkinson’s disease: how the gut and environment shape symptoms
A Mayo Clinic team is studying how gut problems, environmental factors, and genetics together influence Parkinson’s disease and its GI symptoms to find biomarkers and better understanding of the disease.
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Gut-brain communication in Parkinson’s disease for better symptoms and daily life
This project enrolls people with Parkinson’s disease and healthy controls to build a big registry and study how gut function, brain signals, sleep, and circadian rhythms relate to PD symptoms.
-
Gut microbiome and Parkinson's disease: how gut bugs relate to symptoms and progression
A multi-year study will look at gut bacteria and related markers in people with Parkinson’s disease to understand how the gut-brain connection may influence symptoms and progression.
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.