Active clinical trials for "Parkinson Disease"

The exact cause of PD remains unknown, but current theories suggest that it results from a combination of hereditary or genetic factors (i.e. family traits ) and exposure to unknown substances in the environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether toxins produced by bacteria that live within the nasal canal (nose) and the intestines of people with PD might have a role in causing the disease. The investigators in this study would like to look at the types of bacteria that live in the nasal canals and intestines of PD subjects and compare them with those of subjects who do not have PD.

Investigators have developed a comprehensive questionnaire that assesses the presence of non-motor fluctuations (NMFs) in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). To date, 189 participants with PD have been assessed for preliminary data analysis prior to developing the penultimate version. At this time the objectives are to: (i) assess the scale's internal consistency and item-to-total correlations; (ii) assess test-retest reliability; (iii) use factor analysis and reliability measures to guide item reduction; (iv) assess construct validity; and (v) assess the scales ability to discriminate between static non-motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms which fluctuate (vi) estimate the relative distribution of cognitive, psychiatric, autonomic, sleep and sensory NMFs in PD patients with motor fluctuations and their impact on quality of life in Parkinson's disease.

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often display symptoms, such as constipation, due to denervation of the cholinergic nerves in the gut. It has been hypothesized that PD initiates in the gut years prior to diagnosis. To gain a detailed understanding of the early stages of PD, techniques for quantification of cholinergic nerves are needed. The PET tracer 18F-FEOBV binds specifically to the vesicular acetylcholine transporter, situated in presynaptic cholinergic nerve terminals. The investigators will investigate 18F-FEOBV uptake in the brain and internal organs of 15 patients with moderate-stage PD and compare to 15 healthy controls. Furthermore, findings are correlated to validated clinical tests of the autonomic nervous system. The aim is to validate 18F-FEOBV PET/CT as a clinical imaging modality to diagnose parasympathetic denervation in PD.

Reading disorders in Parkinson's Disease (PD) are poorly evaluated due to the lack of validated tests to screen for them. They are often attributed to hand tremors associated with the disease. In this study, the investigating team evaluated the "alouette test" validated for dyslexia screening, in PD by comparing the results to healthy patients.

It is commonly admitted that social cognition impairment, like deficit in facial emotion recognition or misinterpretation of others' intentions (Theory of Mind), are associated with social behavior disorders. This kind of disorders are observed in Fronto-Temporal Dementia (FTD), Alzheimer's Dementia (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD), with severe deficits in FTD and lighter deficits in AD and PD. One explanation might be that patients apply inappropriate visual exploration strategies to decode emotions and intentions of others. This study aims to test this hypothesis and further to analyse whether different patterns emerge from these pathologies.

Parkinson's disease is characterized by cardinal motor signs such as bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity and postural instability. In addition to these findings, motor freezing, gait disorders, posture disorders, decreased arm swings and loss of axial rotation are also seen. About 80% of the causes of falls in Parkinson's patients are due to postural instability and motor freezing, and patients' quality of life is significantly affected. In addition, gait disorders are common in advanced stages of Parkinson's Disease. Gait disorders decrease the quality of life by increasing the risk of falls, fractures and mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study is to observe the change in gait, foot pressure distribution and balance parameters of Parkinson's patients with and without motor deceleration compared to each other and healthy controls and to determine the relationship between these parameters.

In this online study, investigators will explore the psychosocial burdens of swallowing difficulties in people with Parkinson's Disease. This study is completely virtual, so you can participate from wherever you live in the United States. Participation requires you to complete a one-hour Zoom interview and a brief questionnaire. You will be compensated with a $25 Walmart gift card. To learn more, please use the "send email" feature. Thank you!

The purpose of this research study is to: Collect data to use in the development of a standardized tool for identifying patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who would benefit from advanced therapies (AT) such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) and drug pumps. Determine the level to which specific activities reflect with quality of life in individuals with PD. Obtain feedback from individuals with Parkinson's disease and clinicians on the usability of the system.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disease that can be difficult to diagnose. The clinicopathological studies had demonstrated a 76% accuracy in the clinical diagnosis of PD. At the beginning of PD is difficult for the clinician to distinguish from Parkinsonism Plus Syndromes (PPS) due to the similarity of symptoms and the lack of specific diagnostic tests. Specific biomarkers to help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and to separate these two entities are highly needed The histological hallmark for definite diagnosis of PD is the presence of fibrillar aggregates of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein called Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites. Previous autopsy-based studies have revealed that alpha-synuclein is deposited in the peripheral autonomic nervous system including the enteric nervous system of the alimentary tract, cardiac plexus, adrenal medulla and skin. For this reason, in patients with parkinsonism, an alternative tool could be to demonstrate alpha-synuclein fibrillar aggregates in the skin, allowing early and appropriate diagnosis.

The study intends to collect data on gastrointestinal symptoms (swallowing disorders, heartburn, feeling of fullness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea) and on patient satisfaction under everyday practice conditions after changing treatment to Neupro® transdermal patch in patients suffering from idiopathic Parkinson´s Disease with gastrointestinal symptoms while being treated with oral antiparkinson drugs. The objective of the study is to ascertain whether switching therapy to Neupro® transdermal patch can provide any relief in gastrointestinal symptoms.