Understanding Spatial Disorientation in Parkinson's Disease
Udall Catalyst Research Project: Retrosplenial Cholinergic and Attentional-Motor Integration Dysfunction
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11160611
This research explores how brain changes in Parkinson's disease affect a person's sense of direction and ability to navigate.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11160611 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Many people with Parkinson's disease experience difficulty knowing where they are in space, which isn't helped by standard dopamine treatments. This work focuses on a brain area called the retrosplenial cortex (RSC), which is important for combining information about your surroundings with your own body's position. We believe that problems with a brain chemical called acetylcholine in the RSC might be a key reason for these navigation challenges. By understanding how acetylcholine affects this brain region, we hope to uncover new ways to help patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant to patients with Parkinson's disease who experience spatial disorientation or difficulties with navigation.
Not a fit: Patients without Parkinson's disease or those whose Parkinson's symptoms do not include spatial disorientation may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments or therapies specifically targeting spatial disorientation and navigation difficulties in Parkinson's disease patients.
How similar studies have performed: While the general role of the retrosplenial cortex in navigation is known, little is understood about how cholinergic inputs specifically influence its function in Parkinson's disease, making this a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: AHMED, OMAR JAMIL — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: AHMED, OMAR JAMIL
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.