One-day exercise test to see how brain and body react in epilepsy, cognitive disorders, Parkinson's, dementia, and related conditions

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study enrolls adults with epilepsy, functional neurological disorder, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, Parkinson's disease, concussion, or brain tumors, plus healthy controls, to undergo a single exhaustive exercise session on a bicycle ergometer. Participants have pre- and post-exercise brain MRI scans, blood draws, autonomic measurements, and metabolic assessments, while cardiovascular responses are captured with gas exchange analysis during exercise. The goal is to characterize how fitness, exercise performance, and physical exhaustion relate to neurobiological and physiological changes after a single intense effort, and to compare responses between neurological patients and healthy volunteers.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years or older
* Clinical diagnosis of one of the following neurological diseases: epilepsy, functional neurological disorder, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, Parkinson's disease, concussion, brain tumor \[for participants with neurological diseases\]
* No diagnosis of neurological disease \[for healthy control participants\]

Exclusion Criteria:

* Non-english speaking individuals
* Exercise contraindications (e.g., physical impairments limiting use of bicycle ergometer, acute infections, severe heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, exercise associated seizures)
* Current use of medications for cardiac rhythm or rate control
* Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contraindications (e.g., electrical implants, ferromagnetic implants or objects, pregnancy)

Where it's running

• Brigham and Women's Hospital
  Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Claus Reinsberger, MD, PhD — Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Study coordinator: Claus Reinsberger, MD, PhD
• Email: creinsberger@mgb.org
• Phone: 617-804-5828

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.