Active clinical trials for "Movement Disorders"

This study will use functional MRI (fMRI, a technique that shows what areas of the brain are active when performing different mental tasks), to examine how the brain in people with functional movement disorders (FMD) may differ from that in people without FMDs. People with FMD have movement symptoms they feel they cannot control and that are not due to a known medical disorder. Previous studies looking at the brain activity of FMD patients have found areas in the frontal lobe of the brain that appeared overactive. These overactive areas may make it difficult to perform complex mental tasks. Studying the brain during performance of these tasks may enhance knowledge about FMD. Patients 18 years of age or older with an FMD and healthy normal volunteers may be eligible for this study. Participants have two visits to the NIH Clinical Center for the following procedures: First visit (screening): Medical history and neurological examination. Urine drug screen for illicit drugs. Psychological testing, including an interview and questionnaires. Second visit: Brain MRI (if one has not been done at NIH within the past 12 months): MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of body tissues and organs. The subject lies on a table that can slide in and out of the scanner (a narrow cylinder), wearing earplugs to muffle loud noises that occur during the scanning process. The procedure lasts about 2 hours, during which time the patient is asked to lie still for up to 30 minutes at a time. Brain fMRI: While in the MRI scanner, subjects read questions and answer them yes or no by pushing buttons. They are asked to answer questions about their health, their movement symptoms and unrelated topics (like personal preferences and current events). The questions vary in difficulty. Sometimes subjects are instructed to answer correctly; other times they are asked to answer incorrectly. A strap is placed around the subject's chest and two wires are taped to the fingers to monitor heart rate, breathing rate and sweat response during the scan. The scan takes about 2 hours.

This study will use three neurophysiological tests (see below) to determine what areas of the brain are responsible for paroxysmal hyperkinetic movement disorders. Patients with these disorders have sudden, brief attacks of movement, similar to epileptic seizures, but without loss of consciousness. Normal volunteers and patients with two subtypes of paroxysmal hyperkinetic movement disorder, paroxysmal dyskinesia and psychogenic variant, that can be induced by a specific trigger, such as a sudden movement or prolonged exercise, will be included in this study. Candidates must be 12 years of age or older. Women of childbearing potential will be screened with a pregnancy test. Participants will undergo one or more of the procedures detailed below. Patients' test results will be compared with those of normal volunteers. Before each test, participants will provide a medical history and undergo a brief physical examination. During each procedure, the subject will have surface electromyography (EMG) to measure the electrical activity of muscles. For EMG, electrodes (metal discs) filled with a conductive gel are taped to the skin over the muscle to be evaluated. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) MRI uses a strong magnetic field, radio waves, and computer technology to provide detailed images of the brain. For this test, the subject lies in a narrow cylinder (the scanner), while pictures of the brain are taken. Earplugs are worn to muffle loud noises caused by electrical switching of radio frequency circuits used in the scanning process. For functional MRI (fMRI), the subject is asked to mimic a movement that occurs during an attack, such as stiffening the hand to make a fist or flexing and rotating the arm inward, to detect changes in the brain regions involved in the movement. During the procedure, involuntary movements and voluntary movements will be monitored by surface EMG and by video camera. The test will last about 1-1/2 hours. Electroencephalography (EEG) EEG measures the electrical activity of the brain (brain waves) with electrodes placed on the scalp. During the procedure, muscle activity will be recorded with EMG. The subject will first relax and then will be asked to mimic a movement attack. The test will last from 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Startle Reflex The subject will put on a headphone and hear loud noises in a random fashion. During the test, muscle activity will be recorded with EMG and with a video c...

The long term goal of this research is to elucidate the cause(s) of Parkinson's disease, with a focus on environmental determinants. We propose to investigate the relationship between Parkinson's disease and exposure to pesticides and other factors by conducting a nested case-control study in the Agricultural Health Study.

This study will use transcranial magnetic stimulation to examine how the brain controls movement by sending messages to the spinal cord and muscles and what goes wrong with this process in disease. Normal healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 65 years may be eligible to participate. In transcranial magnetic stimulation, an insulated wire coil is placed on the subject's scalp or skin. Brief electrical currents are passed through the coil, creating magnetic pulses that stimulate the brain. During the stimulation, participants will be asked to tense certain muscles slightly or perform other simple actions. The electrical activity of the muscle will be recorded on a computer through electrodes applied to the skin over the muscle. In most cases, the study will last less than 3 hours.

BACKGROUND: The physiological function of fetal hiccups and its correlation with fetal well-being is unexplored. No previous study examines the correlation between the maternal perception of the fetal hiccups and the antepartum cardiotocography. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between the fetal hiccups and antepartum computerised cardiotocography parameters, in nonlaboring term singleton pregnancies.

Ischemic stroke is a major public health issue, likely to cause functional disability. It is well known that sleep has an impact on brain plasticity, and after an ischemic stroke, studies have shown subjective sleep quality alterations and sleep architecture abnormalities. Furthermore, there is no clear guideline showing the usefulness of a systematic sleep investigation following an ischemic stroke. The aim of the study is to identify retrospectively correlation between polysomnographic abnormalities (sleep apnea, periodic limb movements, disturbed sleep architecture…) and functional recovery after an ischemic stroke. The study also assesses the impact of sleep abnormalities on survival, and the risk of new cardiovascular event.

Bradykinesia is a key parkinsonian feature yet subjectively assessed by the MDS-UPDRS score, making reproducible measurements and follow-up challenging. In a Movement Disorder Unit, the investigators acquired a large database of videos showing parkinsonian patients performing Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III protocols. Using a Deep Learning approach on these videos, the investigators aimed to develop a tool to compute an objective score of bradykinesia from the three upper limb tests described in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III.

The investigators are interested in examining 1) the basic organization of spinal and cortical circuitry for the control of movement and 2) the influence of injury of these circuits. To investigate the neuronal circuitry, the investigators use various types of mechanical or electrical stimulation of the limbs, transcranial magnetic stimulation of the cortex and galvanic vestibular stimulation in both uninjured human subjects and subjects with a neurological injury (such as spinal cord injury, or Parkinsons's disease).

Background: Motor stereotypies are a movement disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive, and rhythmic movements. These movements have a predictable pattern and seem purposeful, but they serve no obvious function, tend to be prolonged, and can be suppressed. Common examples of motor stereotypies include hand waving, head nodding, and body rocking. Researchers are interested in learning more about motor stereotypies. Many children with autism and other developmental disorders tend to exhibit these behaviors, but normal healthy children and even some adults have demonstrated motor stereotypies under certain conditions (including boredom and stress). More research is needed to determine the internal causes of and potential successful treatments for these behaviors. Objectives: - To use electroencephalography (EEG) to study cerebral activity related to stereotypies in children. Eligibility: - Children between 7 and 18 years of age who demonstrate stereotypy movements on a consistent basis (at least 10 times a day for at least 4 months). Design: The study will require two visits to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. First visit: Outpatient screening visit to determine the child s eligibility for the study, including questionnaires for parents/guardians and a medical assessment of the stereotypies. Second visit: Participating children will spend 1 day in a room at the NIH Clinical Center Pediatric Day Hospital. During the visit, participants will wear a portable EEG unit to measure brain activity. For the first hour of the visit, researchers will perform movement tests to study the brain activity related to normal movements. For the rest of the day, participants may play games, watch television or movies, read, or nap, while continuing to wear the EEG to monitor brain activity related to the stereotypic movements. Participants will receive a small amount of compensation for their time and participation.

This study will compare electroencephalograph (EEG) recordings in healthy volunteers and in people with movement disorders to examine brain activity associated with the weakness. EEG records the electrical activity of the brain ("brain waves"). Healthy volunteers and patients with arm or leg weakness who are between 18 and 80 years of age may be eligible for this study. Healthy subjects are screened with a medical history, physical and neurological examinations, and a questionnaire. They must be right-handed and never have had a neurological disease or head trauma. All participants have an EEG. An elastic cap with electrodes is placed on the subject's scalp to record the brain's electrical activity. During the EEG, subjects are required to resist against a force with their arm, elbow, shoulder or leg for as long as they can. Several recordings are done with short breaks between them.