Understanding how medication and cues affect walking in Parkinson's disease
Official title: Cortical correlates of gait in Parkinson's disease: impact of medication and cueing
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11013427 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how Parkinson's disease impacts automatic walking and how it relates to thinking skills, comparing people with Parkinson's to those without, while also exploring how medication and helpful cues can improve walking and mobility.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | February 23, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $552,801 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110389-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013427 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 difficulties with walking and cognitive function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Parkinson's disease who do not have mobility issues or cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how Parkinson's disease affects the ability to walk automatically, which is crucial for maintaining independence. It examines the relationship between cognitive function and walking in individuals with Parkinson's compared to healthy individuals. The study will measure brain activity while participants walk and turn, focusing on the effects of the common medication levodopa and innovative cueing techniques that help improve walking. By understanding these factors, the research aims to enhance rehabilitation strategies for better mobility.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and rehabilitation strategies that enhance walking ability and overall quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that interventions targeting gait and cognitive function in Parkinson's disease can lead to meaningful improvements, suggesting that this approach may also be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mancini, Martina — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Mancini, Martina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Personalized closed-loop treatment for freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease
A new implantable brain device trial aims to reduce freezing of gait in people with Parkinson’s by using on-device brain signals to guide stimulation in real time.
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Understanding movement transitions in Parkinson's disease and how cues help freezing of gait
A study with people who have Parkinson's disease will explore why freezing of gait happens during movement changes and how external cues might help keep steps going.
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Feasibility of an AI-Driven Gait Freeze Detector to Trigger Pauses and Cues in Parkinson’s
A small study tests an AI system that detects when a person with Parkinson’s is about to freeze and gives a cue only at that moment to help them keep walking.
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Stimulation of the vagus nerve to help gait in Veterans with Parkinson’s disease
A non-invasive, home-based treatment using a handheld device to stimulate the vagus nerve may improve walking and balance for Veterans living with Parkinson’s disease.
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How Parkinson's affects walking and brain signals
This project looks at how Parkinson's and levodopa change brain activity during walking and whether cueing helps people walk more automatically.
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Why walking starts and turns can trigger freezing in Parkinson's
This project looks at brain and balance signals in people with Parkinson's who freeze when they start walking or turn, and how external cues can help.
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.