NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding dementia in people with Parkinson's disease

Official title: Investigations of Dementia in Parkinson Disease

Funded at Washington University · NIH-10612119 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how dementia affects people with Parkinson's disease over time, and it aims to find signs that can help predict memory and thinking problems, so we can create better treatments to slow down these changes.

More Dementia research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project startSeptember 23, 2021
Project endAugust 31, 2026
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$2,332,494
NIH project number4RF1NS075321-12
Project IDNIH-10612119 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 experiencing cognitive decline.

Less likely to help

Patients with other forms of dementia not related to Parkinson's disease may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between dementia and Parkinson's disease (PD), focusing on how cognitive decline occurs in patients over time. By examining biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and using advanced neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to identify changes that predict cognitive impairment in PD. Participants will be monitored through both cross-sectional and longitudinal assessments to gather comprehensive data on the progression of symptoms. The goal is to develop reliable indicators that can help in creating therapies to slow down the progression of PD-related dementia.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that slow the progression of dementia in Parkinson's disease patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarkers and neuroimaging to understand dementia in other conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach in Parkinson's disease.

Where this research is happening

  • Washington University
    Saint Louis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Perlmutter, Joel Synes — Washington University
  • Study coordinator: Perlmutter, Joel Synes

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.