Understanding why people with Parkinson's disease fall
Official title: Project II: Circuit Mechanisms of Attentional-Motor Interface Dysfunction in PD Falls
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11160608 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $438,789 |
| NIH project number | 5P50NS123067-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11160608 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is for future patients with Parkinson's disease who experience falls that are not well-controlled by existing dopamine-based therapies.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
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.
Related research
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Falls and brain changes in older adults who don’t yet show dementia
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Lighting-centered home changes to prevent falls for people who are visually impaired
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New balance training to prevent falls in older adults
A new, low-cost balance training program for people 65 and older aims to reduce the chance of falls by improving fast recovery after a trip.
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Preventing Falls in Older Adults Using Floor Vibrations to Detect Falls and Gait Changes
A new approach aims to detect falls and gait changes in people aged 65 and older by analyzing floor vibrations, with the goal of preventing injuries and reducing fall-related costs.
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In-Home Sensory Training Therapy to Reduce Falls in Older Adults
A home-based program using stroboscopic eyewear to help older adults improve balance and reduce their risk of falls.
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Sleep, nighttime oxygen, and risk of falls and fractures in older adults
This study looks at how nocturnal low oxygen during sleep relates to falls and bone fractures in men and women aged 50 and older.
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.