Investigating how low doses of ketamine can help treat Parkinson's disease
Official title: Mechanisms of Low-Dose Ketamine Treatment for Parkinson's Disease
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-10874836 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how low doses of ketamine might help people with Parkinson's disease feel better and manage their symptoms, especially since it could offer a new option beyond the usual treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $47,898 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS122805-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874836 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 experiencing movement difficulties and may be affected by L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Parkinson's disease or those who are not experiencing significant movement-related symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of low-dose ketamine on patients with Parkinson's disease, a condition that affects movement due to dopamine loss in the brain. The study aims to understand how ketamine can potentially alleviate symptoms and reduce the side effects associated with traditional dopamine replacement therapies. By examining brain activity and plasticity, the research seeks to identify mechanisms that could lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients suffering from Parkinson's disease and related involuntary movements. Participants may receive low-dose ketamine infusions and undergo assessments to evaluate changes in their symptoms and brain function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option that reduces debilitating side effects for Parkinson's disease patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that low-dose ketamine can be effective in treating conditions like depression and PTSD, suggesting potential for success in similar neurological applications.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Falk, Torsten — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Falk, Torsten
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Exploring how low doses of ketamine can help treat Parkinson's disease
This study is looking at how low doses of ketamine might help people with Parkinson's disease by reducing unwanted movements that can happen with regular treatments, and it will involve some infusions and check-ups to see how it affects their symptoms and brain activity.
-
Investigating how ketamine affects depression and brain changes in Veterans with Parkinson's disease
This study is looking at how ketamine might help improve mood and brain flexibility in Veterans with Parkinson's disease who are dealing with depression, and it aims to find better ways to treat their symptoms.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.