Understanding how breathing is controlled in people with Parkinson's disease

Neural Control of Breathing in Parkinson's Disease: an Exploratory Study

This study is trying to understand how breathing is controlled in people with Parkinson's disease compared to healthy individuals to see if there are any differences.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Radboud University Medical Center (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Nijmegen, Gelderland)
• Trial ID: NCT06074614 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore the neural control of breathing in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to healthy individuals. It will utilize advanced respiratory neurophysiological techniques, including hypercapnic ventilatory response, respiratory related evoked potentials, and transcranial magnetic stimulation, to assess potential impairments in breathing control. The study will involve a cross-sectional design with 15 healthy subjects and 15 patients diagnosed with PD, all over the age of 18. The primary objective is to identify specific alterations in neural control of breathing associated with Parkinson's disease.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 years old with clinically confirmed Parkinson's disease at Hoehn and Yahr stages 1 to 3.

Not a fit: Patients with other central nervous system diseases, significant psychiatric history, or pre-existing pulmonary conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to a better understanding of respiratory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease, potentially informing future therapeutic strategies.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this study is novel, previous studies have indicated that understanding neural control of breathing can provide insights into respiratory dysfunction in various neurological conditions.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy subjects: competent adult (\>18 years) volunteers
* Patients: adult (\<18 years) patients with Parkinson's disease, clinically confirmed by a movement disorder specialised neurologist with Hoehn and Yahr staging 1 to 3
* Willingness and ability to understand nature and content of the study
* Ability to participate and comply with study requirements

Exclusion Criteria:

* Healthy subjects: previous or ongoing diseases of the central nervous system
* Patients: previous or ongoing diseases of the central nervous system, other than Parkinson's disease
* History of or current psychiatric treatment
* History of or current brain surgery or epilepsy, unclusing deep brain stimulation
* Neuromuscular disorders
* Pre-existing pulmonary disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma or pulmonary fibrosis
* TMS incompatibility (metal parts in head or neck, skin allergies)
* Implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator, neurostimulator, cochlear implant or medical infusion device
* Large or ferromagnetic metal parts in the head (exept for a dental wire)
* Pregnancy
* Smoking

Where this trial is running

Nijmegen, Gelderland

• Radboudumc — Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jonne Doorduin, PhD — Radboud University Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Jonne Doorduin, PhD

Conditions: Parkinson Disease, Parkinson's disease, Respiratory dysfunction, Neural control of breathing, Transcranial magnetic stimulation, Hypercapnic ventilatory response, Respiratory related evoked potential