Improving Care for Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementias with Palliative Approaches

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementias are complex conditions that cause more than just movement problems; many people also experience challenging non-motor symptoms like pain, depression, and dementia. Current care models often do not fully address these important needs for patients and their families, leading to reduced quality of life. Palliative care is a holistic approach that focuses on relieving suffering and improving overall well-being, including physical, emotional, and spiritual needs for those with serious illnesses. This project aims to bring these successful palliative care methods, which have helped in other chronic conditions, to individuals living with Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementias. The goal is to enhance how we care for people with these conditions by focusing on what matters most to them and their families.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Rochester
  Rochester, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Kluger, Benzi M — University of Rochester
• Study coordinator: Kluger, Benzi M

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Palliative care for people living with Parkinson's disease

  Bringing palliative care into Parkinson's care for Veterans and others with PD to help manage symptoms, plan future care, and support caregivers.

  NIH research VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System · Aurora, UNITED STATES · NIH-11219731

• Improving palliative care for patients with Parkinson's disease

  This study is looking to improve the care and support for people with Parkinson's disease by adding palliative care to their regular treatment, helping with both physical and emotional challenges, and making sure caregivers get the support they need.

  NIH research VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System · Aurora, UNITED STATES · NIH-10928774

• 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.

  NIH research Columbia University Health Sciences · New York, United States · NIH-11612995

• 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.

  NIH research Mayo Clinic Rochester · Rochester, United States · NIH-11596497

• 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.

  NIH research Columbia University Health Sciences · New York, United States · NIH-11593798

• 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.

  NIH research University of Chicago · Chicago, United States · NIH-11583671

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.