Investigating brain changes and dementia in Parkinson's disease
Official title: Worldwide Tractometry Initiative to Investigate Brain Microstructure, Cognitive Impairment & Dementia in Parkinsons Disease
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10872052 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Parkinson's disease might lead to dementia by using special brain scans to see early changes in the brain's structure, and it's for people with Parkinson's who want to help researchers understand more about the risks of cognitive decline.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $2,243,095 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1NS136995-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10872052 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, particularly those who may be experiencing early signs of cognitive impairment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Parkinson's disease or those with advanced dementia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to understand how Parkinson's disease can lead to dementia by using advanced imaging techniques to map the brain's microstructure. By analyzing data from a large international cohort, the study seeks to identify early changes in brain white matter that may predict the onset of dementia in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Patients will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to capture detailed brain maps, which will help researchers uncover the risk factors and processes involved in cognitive decline. The initiative addresses the need for larger sample sizes to improve the reliability and generalizability of findings related to Parkinson's disease dementia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and potentially new strategies for preventing or treating dementia in patients with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using advanced imaging techniques have shown promise in identifying brain changes associated with dementia, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thompson, Paul M — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Thompson, Paul M
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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.