Vestibulopathy as a Cause of Imbalance in Parkinson

Description

Balance problems and falls are common in people with Parkinson's disease but respond poorly to dopamine stimulating medications suggesting other causes. The main goal of this study is to assess whether imbalance and gait problems in people with Parkinson's disease may be related to vestibular (inner ear balance center) changes not related to loss of dopamine in the brain.

Conditions

Parkinson's Disease

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

Balance problems and falls are common in people with Parkinson's disease but respond poorly to dopamine stimulating medications suggesting other causes. The main goal of this study is to assess whether imbalance and gait problems in people with Parkinson's disease may be related to vestibular (inner ear balance center) changes not related to loss of dopamine in the brain.

Vestibulopathy, Imbalance and Gait Disturbances in Parkinson Disease

Vestibulopathy as a Cause of Imbalance in Parkinson

Condition
Parkinson's Disease
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Ann Arbor

VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48105-2303

Ann Arbor

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48105

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * PD based on the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Diagnostic Research Criteria (n=64, gross recruitment)
  • * M/F
  • * age 45 years or older
  • * duration of disease \> 5 years and/or Hoehn \& Yahr stages 1.5-4 able to ambulate independently and no evidence of dementia.
  • * History of Meniere disease or recent onset of acute vestibular dysfunction, such as otolith disorders (BBPV etc).
  • * Other disorders which may resemble PD, such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), vascular dementia, normal pressure hydrocephalus, multiple system atrophy (MSA), corticobasal ganglionic degeneration, or toxic causes of parkinsonism. Prototypical cases have distinctive clinical profiles, like early and severe dysautonomia (MSA) or appendicular apraxia, which may differentiate them from idiopathic PD and PSP. The use of the UKPDSBRC clinical diagnostic criteria for PD will mitigate the inclusion of subjects with atypical parkinsonism.
  • * Evidence of a stroke or mass lesion on structural brain imaging (MRI).
  • * Participants in whom MRI is contraindicated including, but not limited to, those with a pacemaker, presence of metallic fragments near the eyes or spinal cord, or cochlear implant.
  • * Severe claustrophobia precluding MR or PET imaging.
  • * Subjects limited by participation in research procedures involving ionizing radiation.
  • * Pregnancy (test within 48 hours of each PET session) or breastfeeding.

Ages Eligible for Study

45 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

VA Office of Research and Development,

Nicolaas I Bohnen, MD PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI

Study Record Dates

2025-05-31