Why walking starts and turns can trigger freezing in Parkinson's
Neurophysiology of movement transitions in Parkinson's disease with freezing of gait
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 ID | NIH-11177626 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: 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.
Not a fit: 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.
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 performed: 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
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huffmaster, Sommer L — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Huffmaster, Sommer L
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.