Using Varenicline to Reduce Falls in People with Parkinson's Disease
Official title: Reducing falls with Varenicline in Hypocholinergic Parkinson disease
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10980205 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a medication called Varenicline might help people with Parkinson's Disease stay steady on their feet and avoid falls by improving their focus and walking.
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 19, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,180,332 |
| NIH project number | 1UG3NS133515-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980205 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with moderate-stage Parkinson's Disease who experience cognitive impairments and are at risk of falling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Parkinson's Disease who do not have significant cognitive impairments or those in advanced stages of the disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of Varenicline, a medication that targets specific receptors in the brain, to help reduce the risk of falls in individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Falls are a significant concern for people with PD, often leading to serious health complications. The study aims to understand how Varenicline can improve attention and gait, which are critical factors in preventing falls. Participants will be monitored for changes in their cognitive function and mobility as part of the treatment process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly lower the incidence of falls in patients with Parkinson's Disease, improving their quality of life and reducing hospitalizations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using similar approaches to enhance cognitive function and reduce fall risk in patients with Parkinson's Disease.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kotagal, Vikas — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Kotagal, Vikas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Varenicline to reduce falls in Parkinson's patients with low brain cholinergic activity
This project gives the medication varenicline to people with Parkinson's who have low brain cholinergic function to try to improve attention and reduce falls.
-
Protein aggregation and brain changes in Parkinson’s-related dementia
A study of brain tissue from people with Parkinson’s to understand how protein clumps and nerve cell loss relate to dementia.
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Parkinson’s disease: high‑intensity treadmill exercise as first‑line therapy
This trial tests whether training Parkinson’s patients to exercise at high intensity can slow disease progression.
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Falls and brain changes in older adults who don’t yet show dementia
Researchers at Mayo Clinic will study why people over 65 fall, by looking at how brain and body systems work together during walking and thinking tasks.
-
Lighting-centered home changes to prevent falls for people who are visually impaired
A study will test whether brighter, better-lit homes with fewer glare and clearer hazards reduce falls and help with daily tasks for people with vision loss.
-
Palmitoyltransferase and GBA1 function restoration in Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia
A fast-moving study looks at whether tweaking a fat-attachment process on proteins can restore healthy enzyme function and slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
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.