Why walking starts and turns can trigger freezing in Parkinson's
Official title: Neurophysiology of movement transitions in Parkinson's disease with freezing of gait
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11177626 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $530,442 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS136323-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177626 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with Parkinson's disease who commonly experience freezing of gait and who can safely perform walking and turning tasks at the study site.
✕Less likely to help
People without Parkinson's, or people who do not experience freezing of gait or cannot perform the required walking tasks, are unlikely to benefit from participating.
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will record brain and body signals while you stand, start walking, and turn, including times when freezing occurs. They will compare movements you initiate yourself with the same movements prompted by external sensory cues to see what changes. The team will use sensors and neurophysiology recordings to study communication between balance/posture centers and movement-control areas. The goal is to understand why cues often reduce freezing and to find targets for better therapies or devices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to better cueing methods, devices, or targeted treatments to reduce freezing episodes and falls in people with Parkinson's.
How similar studies have gone: Previous clinical work shows that external cues can reduce freezing, but this grant applies new neurophysiology measurements to better explain how and why cues work.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huffmaster, Sommer L — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Huffmaster, Sommer L
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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Improving walking in Veterans with Parkinson's disease using vagus nerve stimulation
This study is looking at how a simple, handheld device that gently stimulates a nerve in the neck can help Veterans with Parkinson's disease improve their walking and balance, making it easier for them to manage their daily lives at home.
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.