Vestibular Function in Parkinson Disease

18 Oct Vestibular Function in Parkinson Disease

We are conducting this study because people with Parkinson disease (PD) often develop symptoms that medications used to treat PD do not fully resolve. This may be because the vestibular system (part of the inner ear that senses head motion) is affected in people with PD differently than changes seen in normal aging. The vestibular system contributes to our balance and has many other connections within our brain, including areas for memory and blood pressure. We also don’t know how medications for PD affect the vestibular system. We are looking for people with PD who are taking dopamine-affecting medications for their PD symptoms and healthy adults to participate in this study.

Participants with PD will be asked to complete two sets of testing, one after skipping their morning dose of medication for PD, and another while on their regular medication for PD. Healthy adults will be asked to complete one set of testing so that test results can be compared between the two groups.

Tests will include a clinical exam, vestibular system tests, and balance and walking tests. Vestibular tests will include things such as wearing goggles with a camera to track eye movements, sitting in a slowly turning chair, and having sticky electrodes placed on the face and neck. Participants will be compensated $50 for each full set of testing. Parking or public transportation costs can be covered by the project.

Participant Eligibility

– Age between 40-90 years
– Able to stand and walk for 2 minutes without help from another person
– No history of chronic vestibular disorders or other neurological disorders unrelated to PD

In addition, participants with PD cannot have had brain surgery to treat PD (e.g. deep brain stimulator placement).

Contact

Jennifer Brodsky
(206) 616-4113