Understanding Gait and Balance Problems in Parkinson's Disease
Project I: Evolution of cholinergic deficits within multisensory, cognitive, and motor integration brain regions and development of PIGD features in PwP
This research looks at how changes in brain chemistry contribute to walking and balance difficulties in people with Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160606 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people with Parkinson's disease experience problems with balance and walking, known as PIGD, which can be very challenging to treat. We believe that issues with a brain chemical system called the cholinergic system play a big role in these difficulties. Our team uses a special imaging technique to see how this system is working in different parts of the brain. We've found that people with Parkinson's who experience falls or freezing of gait often have similar changes in their brain's cholinergic system. This helps us understand how problems with attention and movement coordination might lead to these mobility issues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Parkinson's disease who experience issues with balance, falls, or freezing of gait would be ideal candidates for this type of research.
Not a fit: Patients without Parkinson's disease or those not experiencing gait and balance difficulties would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to new ways to understand, prevent, and treat balance and walking problems for people living with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work in this area has successfully developed a unique imaging tool to measure cholinergic system activity in the brain.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bohnen, Nicolaas Ida — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Bohnen, Nicolaas Ida
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 below.