Understanding why people with Parkinson's disease fall
Project II: Circuit Mechanisms of Attentional-Motor Interface Dysfunction in PD Falls
This research aims to understand the brain changes that cause falls in people with Parkinson's disease, especially those not helped by current treatments.
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-11160608 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are exploring why many people with Parkinson's disease experience falls, which are a major cause of hospital visits and nursing home admissions. Current Parkinson's medications often don't help with these falls, so we are looking at other brain systems beyond dopamine. Using a special rodent model that mimics Parkinson's falls, we are focusing on how attention and movement interact in the brain. Our goal is to pinpoint specific brain circuit problems that lead to balance issues and falls, paving the way for new treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for future patients with Parkinson's disease who experience falls that are not well-controlled by existing dopamine-based therapies.
Not a fit: Patients without Parkinson's disease or those whose falls are effectively managed by current treatments may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications or therapies specifically designed to prevent falls in people with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team has established a rodent model for Parkinson's falls and identified potential treatment targets, showing promise for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berridge, Kent C. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Berridge, Kent C.
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.