How Parkinson's affects walking and brain signals
Cortical correlates of gait in Parkinson's disease: impact of medication and cueing
['FUNDING_R01'] · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11290413
This project looks at how Parkinson's and levodopa change brain activity during walking and whether cueing helps people walk more automatically.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PORTLAND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11290413 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You will walk and turn while wearing wireless sensors that record brain activity so researchers can see which parts of your cortex are active during walking. The team will compare people with Parkinson's to similar-aged volunteers and measure changes when you take your usual levodopa medication. They will also test cueing methods, including personalized closed-loop cues delivered by wearable devices, to see if cues restore more automatic walking. The goal is to link attention and walking so medication timing and rehabilitation can be better matched to your needs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with Parkinson's who have gait or balance difficulties, take levodopa, and can walk safely for the testing sessions.
Not a fit: People who cannot walk or turn safely, have gait problems from non-Parkinson's causes, or cannot follow medication instructions may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better medication timing and personalized cueing devices that make walking safer and less mentally tiring for people with Parkinson's.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows levodopa and external cues can improve some gait features, but collecting brain activity during real walking and using personalized closed-loop cueing is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
PORTLAND, UNITED STATES
- OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY — PORTLAND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MANCINI, MARTINA — OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: MANCINI, MARTINA
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.
Conditions: Cancers