How Parkinson's affects walking and brain signals
Official title: Cortical correlates of gait in Parkinson's disease: impact of medication and cueing
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11290413 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how Parkinson's and levodopa change brain activity during walking and whether cueing helps people walk more automatically.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | February 23, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $531,958 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110389-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11290413 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with Parkinson's who have gait or balance difficulties, take levodopa, and can walk safely for the testing sessions.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot walk or turn safely, have gait problems from non-Parkinson's causes, or cannot follow medication instructions may not directly benefit.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mancini, Martina — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Mancini, Martina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Personalized closed-loop treatment for freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease
A new implantable brain device trial aims to reduce freezing of gait in people with Parkinson’s by using on-device brain signals to guide stimulation in real time.
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Feasibility of an AI-Driven Gait Freeze Detector to Trigger Pauses and Cues in Parkinson’s
A small study tests an AI system that detects when a person with Parkinson’s is about to freeze and gives a cue only at that moment to help them keep walking.
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Stimulation of the vagus nerve to help gait in Veterans with Parkinson’s disease
A non-invasive, home-based treatment using a handheld device to stimulate the vagus nerve may improve walking and balance for Veterans living with Parkinson’s disease.
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Why walking starts and turns can trigger freezing in Parkinson's
This project looks at brain and balance signals in people with Parkinson's who freeze when they start walking or turn, and how external cues can help.
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Improving walking in Veterans with Parkinson's disease using vagus nerve stimulation
This study is looking at how a simple, handheld device that gently stimulates a nerve in the neck can help Veterans with Parkinson's disease improve their walking and balance, making it easier for them to manage their daily lives at home.
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.