Clinical and Instrumental Treatment's Predictors in Subjects With Neurological Diseases Using G-EO...
Multiple SclerosisStroke2 moreThe aim of this work is to elaborate a statistical model to predict the effectiveness of robotic treatment in subjects with neurological diseases. The model will be used to understand which subjects are most responsive to this type of treatment
Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation in Speech Study
Parkinson DiseaseDysarthriaParkinson's disease (PD) patients treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) have unpredictable and varied speech outcomes after this treatment. Our research will prospectively document speech performance before, during and 6- and 12-months after STN-DBS in 80 surgically treated patients and compared with 40 non-surgical controls with Parkinson's disease. This study will provide unique insights into the role of STN in speech production, document speech outcome in a comprehensive fashion, identify factors that predict functional communication ability 12 months after STN-DBS, and test the feasibility of low frequency DBS in reversing DBS-induced speech declines in order to optimize treatment strategies for those living with Parkinson's disease.
Probiotic Treatment for Depression and Associated Mood Disorders in Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson DiseaseDepressionThis study evaluates the use of an oral multi-strain probiotic in the treatment of depression in individuals with Parkinson's Disease. Participants will be randomized to either 12-week multi-strain probiotic treatment or placebo with an optional fMRI scan.
Vibrotactile Coordinated Reset for the Treatment of Post Surgery Refractory Parkinson's Disease...
Parkinson DiseaseThe purpose of our study is to evaluate Vibrotactile Coordinated Reset stimulation (vCR) and its effects on refractory post surgery PD. VCR will be administered with a device called the vibrotactile axon Glove. vCR is expected to provide patients with a non-invasive alternative to the most widely used treatments such as levodopa and or deep brain stimulation. Patients will be followed for two years.
VCR: A Treatment for Early Stage Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson DiseaseThe purpose of our study is to evaluate Vibrotactile Coordinated Reset stimulation (vCR) and its effects on early stage Parkinson's symptoms. VCR will be administered with a device called the vibrotactile axon Glove. vCR is expected to provide patients with a non-invasive alternative to the most widely used treatments such as levodopa and or deep brain stimulation. Patients will be followed for two years.
Sensorimotor Integration in Monogenic Parkinson-dystonia Syndromes
ParkinsonDystonia5 moreHereditary Parkinson and dystonia syndromes are rare, as are people who carry the predisposition for Parkinson or dystonia but do not have symptoms. It is particularly important to study these people because they are a good model for understanding the development of common non-hereditary Parkinson's and dystonia. To do this, the investigators want to look at how the brain works and how different areas of the brain communicate with each other. The investigators want to identify differences in brain regions connecting perception and action between mutation carriers that develop clinical symptoms and those who stay healthy in different subgroups of inherited Parkinson-dystonia syndromes. Mutation carriers with and without symptoms of three different inherited Parkinson-dystonia syndromes will be investigated at their homes with the help of a mobile examination unit. To detect even subtle signs, which the mutation carriers might not even be aware of, the investigators will use a detailed video-based and -documented movement examination and a non-invasive magnetic stimulation technique that investigates how a sensory, i.e., electrical stimulus can influence the motor response in a hand muscle. Our study will allow the investigators, on the one hand, to define specific markers that protect some mutation carriers from having clinical symptoms and, on the other hand, to identify neurophysiological characteristics that all mutation carriers share whether or not they have clinical symptoms. These are important information for a better understanding of the basis of these disorders and for the development of new treatment strategies, which can also be transferred to genetically-undefined Parkinson's and dystonia syndromes. Through this study, large groups of mutation carriers that have received an in-depth clinical and neurophysiological examination and can be investigated longitudinally in future studies will be build up.
Constipation and Changes in the Gut Flora in Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson DiseaseThe aim of this study is to investigate the link between gut health and Parkinson's disease
Effects and Mechanisms of RAS Training on Upper-limb Movements in PD Patients
Acoustic StimulationParkinson Disease1 moreIntroduction Bradykinesia (i.e., slow movements) is one of the most prominent symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) and has a negative impact on quality of life. Rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), a widely used and promising treatment technique, has been shown to effectively improve gait speed in PD patients. However, only few studies have explored effects and neural mechanisms of RAS on upper-limb movements. We will conduct two studies to investigate effects and mechanisms of RAS on upper-limb movements in PD patients. The purpose of this study is to examine effects and neural mechanisms of upper-limb movement training involving RAS in PD patients. Methods This study will recruit patients with PD and healthy controls. This study will randomly assign PD patients into two groups: the PD-RAS group and the PD-noRAS group, and healthy controls into the HC-RAS group and the HC-noRAS group. A 7-day upper-limb training involving RAS (for the PD-RAS group and the HC-RAS group) or without RAS (for the PD-noRAS group and the HC-noRAS group) will be provided. EEG and behavioral assessments will be conducted before and after the first day of training, and after the seven-day training program. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance will be performed to investigate the group and time effects on upper-limb function and neural activity. Study significance The training program will serve as a reference for clinical practitioners who are interested in using RAS in clinical training for PD patients.
The Efficacy and Safety of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Anxiety in PD
Parkinson DiseaseThis study is a double blind comparative study examining the effectiveness of the transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation treatment on Parkinson's disease patients with anxiety. The investigators hypothesize that taVNS will improve anxiety and cortical activity in Parkinson's disease patients with anxiety.
Pain and Autonomic Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease and Atypical Parkinsonisms
Parkinson DiseaseMultiple System AtrophyThe goal of this observational study is to learn about the impact of the different types of pain and of the domains involved in the autonomic disorders of inpatients and outpatients diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) admitted to Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri Centers. The main aims are: Evaluate the prevalence of pain and characterize it in Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonisms (MSA) Evaluate the effect of rehabilitation on pain and autonomic symptoms Evaluate the prevalence of autonomic symptoms in Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonisms (MSA) Assess the impact of pain and autonomic symptoms on quality of life. Participants will perform neurological examination, rehabilitation program and clinical scales. Researchers will compare the two groups of patients (PD and MSA) and the effect of the rehabilitation on pain, autonomic symptoms and quality of life.