Brain imaging to map a newly discovered motor-control network in Parkinson's disease.
Official title: Precision Neuroimaging of Parkinson's Disease
Run by Washington University School of Medicine · NCT07024875 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using MRI, researchers will see if a newly discovered brain network called the Somato-Cognitive Action Network (SCAN) is altered in people with Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 40 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Washington University School of Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (St Louis, Missouri) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | January 2031 |
| Study ends | January 2031 |
| Registry record updated | April 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07024875 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease who do not meet dementia criteria, can tolerate MRI scanning, and pass the study's medical and safety screening are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with dementia, other major neurological or psychiatric disorders, serious uncontrolled medical conditions, or MRI contraindications (such as incompatible implants, claustrophobia, or weight above the scanner limit) are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study uses advanced MRI, including resting-state functional connectivity, to map connections between deep subcortical structures and a newly described cortical network called the Somato-Cognitive Action Network (SCAN). Researchers will compare connectivity patterns in people with Parkinson's disease to healthy control participants to identify subcortical-to-SCAN changes. The work focuses on connections relevant to gait, initiation of action, autonomic function, and arousal, which are often impaired in Parkinson's. If SCAN is found to be consistently altered, it would define a specific cortical circuit linked to disease symptoms and future neuromodulation targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify SCAN as a specific brain circuit to target with future neuromodulation therapies, potentially improving movement, gait, and related nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Resting-state and task-based fMRI have previously detected Parkinson's-related circuit changes, but targeting the newly described SCAN in PD is a novel application of these methods.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Must meet specific health and cognitive criteria depending on the group. For PD participants * Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease * Must not meet dementia criteria For Healthy Control Participants * Normal or benign neurological exam * Normal cognition * No first-degree relatives with Parkinson's Disease Exclusion Criteria: 1. Neurological Disorders (other than PD) \- Any other neurological condition 2. Significant Head Injury * Head injury with loss of consciousness \>5 minutes * Or any neurological sequelae 3. Psychiatric Disorders * Schizophrenia * Bipolar Disorder * Epilepsy 4. Serious Medical Conditions * End-stage organ failure * Ongoing cancer treatment 5. Cognitive Impairment * Diagnosis of dementia * MMSE score \<24 or MoCA score \<21 6. MRI contraindications * Metal implants * claustrophobia * Weight over 300 lbs (due to weight restrictions of the MRI scanner)
Where it's running
-
East Imaging Building
St Louis, Missouri, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Evan Gordon, PhD — Washington University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Danny Bower
- Email: bower@wustl.edu
- Phone: 314-273-4429
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Automated language analysis to help diagnose neurodegenerative diseases
A multilingual AI-powered language test is being tried to see if speech and language patterns can help differentiate Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and Parkinson’s from healthy aging.
-
Brain alpha-synuclein PET imaging in Parkinson's patients and healthy seniors
This open-label study tests a radioactive tracer called [18F]MK-0947 to see how it behaves in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease compared with healthy elderly volunteers.
-
Parkinson’s self-sufficiency and rehabilitation in a Czech spa setting
This intervention tests whether a Czech self-sufficiency test can be used with people with Parkinson’s disease and sees how spa-based rehabilitation affects independence, cognition, balance, and walking.
-
Imaging PD progression with [18F]AV-133 using high- and standard-resolution PET
This study tests how [18F]AV-133 PET imaging changes over 12 months in people with Parkinson's disease and a small group of healthy controls.
-
Microelectrode-based brain stimulation for Parkinson’s and essential tremor
This early feasibility test checks a new microelectrode-based brain stimulation method in adults with Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor who are already getting deep brain stimulation implants.
-
Sleep and adaptive DBS in Parkinson’s disease
This study tests whether adjusting adaptive deep brain stimulation during sleep can improve sleep quality and brain activity in people with Parkinson’s disease who already have DBS.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.