Active clinical trials for "Parkinson Disease"

To assess the predictive value of sequential administration of WHO-5 and MDI (Major Depression Inventory) for the clinical management of Parkinson Disease (PD) patients by determination of the prevalence of depression in PD patients, based on MDI severity categories and the self-rating scale WHO-5, where poor well being was indicated. exploration of influencing factors (PD status, therapeutic status) on the prevalence of MDI depression categories.

The investigators tested whether prospective memory is impaired in individuals with Parkinson's Disease compared to controls using reliable and validated experimental measures. Also, the investigators assessed the impact of Parkinson's medication on prospective memory performance in PD to better estimate prospective memory function in PD patients' everyday (chronically treated) life.

Nearly all Parkinson's disease (PD) patients eventually develop abnormal and unwanted movements (dyskinesias; LID) caused by the gold standard treatment, Levodopa. The severity of these movements can range from subtle to extremely debilitating and may or may not interfere with normal activities such as putting on a coat or brushing ones teeth. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the validity and reliability of objectively measuring dyskinesia with a forceplate.

The investigators aim to study whether the nuclear medicine method FP-CIT-SPECT (more details see below) allows to predict the further clinical course of Parkinson´s disease. Especially the investigators are interested in the motor and cognitive functions of the parkinsonian patients.

This study will measure the function of a protein called P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is found at the blood-brain barrier, a membrane that normally prevents toxic material from entering the brain. Impaired P-gp function may allow toxins to enter the brain and cause some people to develop certain brain diseases. Healthy subjects and people with Alzheimer s disease, Parkinson s disease or frontotemporal dementia who are 35 years of age or older and in overall good health may be eligible for this study. Participants undergo the following procedures during three outpatient visits to the NIH Clinical Center: Medical history, psychological evaluation, physical examination and blood and urine tests, including tests for illegal and addictive drugs. PET scan: This test uses small amounts of a radioactive chemical called a tracer that labels active areas of the brain so the activity can be seen with a special camera. Before starting the scan, a catheter (plastic tube) is placed in a vein in the arm to inject the tracer. The subject lies on the scanner bed, with a special mask fitted to the head and attached to the bed to help keep the head still during the scan so the images obtained are clear. A brief initial scan is done to calibrate the scanner. Then, a radioactive tracer called [(15)O]H(2)O is injected into the catheter and the PET camera takes pictures of blood flow to the brain for about 60 seconds. Next, another tracer, [(11)C]dLop, is injected into the catheter and pictures are taken for about 2 hours to determine how much of this tracer is allowed to enter the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This procedure is done within 1 year (before or after) the PET scan. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of the brain. For this procedure, the patient lies on a table that can slide in and out of the scanner (a tube-like device), wearing earplugs to muffle loud knocking and thumping sounds that occur during the scan.

This study is to follow-up with workers from a local company that had exposure to TCE that may have symptoms of Parkinson's disease. We hope to learn more about TCE exposure and Parkinson's disease. Eligible participants will be those who participated in previous research study entitled "Survey of Selected Exposures and Neurologic Symptoms in an Industrial Population"

To test if combining two antiparkinson drugs into a single tablet improves accuracy of medicine intake by the patient. To test if patients with Parkinson's disease who take medicines at regular time intervals have smoother symptom control.

The purpose of this trial is to study genetic and other risk factors that may be important in the development of Parkinson's disease.

The purpose of this clinical research study is to determine if different dosage regimens of Sinemet® CR (Carbidopa/levodopa) are dose proportional

This study will use single photon emission computed tomography, or SPECT (see below), to examine brain nicotine receptors in evaluating the role of a chemical called acetylcholine in memory and other problems in Parkinson's disease (PD). Acetylcholine acts by binding to these nicotine receptors. Healthy normal volunteers and patients with Parkinson's disease 40 years of age and older, with or without dementia, may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with physical and neurological examinations, a pen and paper test of memory and other mental functions, blood tests, and, for women of childbearing potential, a pregnancy test. Patients with cognition problems will have more intensive mental function tests. All participants will undergo the following procedures: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show structural and chemical changes in the brain. During the scan, the subject lies on a table in a narrow cylinder (the scanner). The time required in the scanner is about 1 hour, during which the subject is asked to lie very still for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. He or she can speak with a staff member via an intercom system at all times during the procedure. SPECT: This nuclear medicine test produces a picture of the receptors in the brain. On the night before the scan, the day of the scan, and for 4 days after the scan, subjects take an oral dose of potassium iodide to protect the thyroid gland from the radioactive tracer used in the SPECT procedure. (People allergic to potassium iodide will take potassium perchlorate instead.) Before the scan, small radioactive markers containing 99Tc are glued to the subject's head. Two catheters (thin, flexible tubes) are placed in veins in the arms to inject the radioactive tracer [123I]5-I-A-85380 and to draw blood samples. Another catheter is placed in an artery in the wrist to draw arterial blood samples. During the scan, the subject lies on a bed with his or her head held still with a head holder. The scans are taken over a 6-hour period after injection of [123I]5-I-A-85380. An electrocardiogram, respiration, and blood pressure measures are taken before the tracer is injected, then 5 minutes after the injection, and again 30 to 60 minutes after the injection. Blood and urine samples are collected 5 to 6 hours after starting the scan. Participants are asked to urinate at least every 2 hours for 12 hours after injection of [123I]5-I-A-85380 to decrease radiation exposure.