• PDtrials - Parkinson's Disease Clinical Trials
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Official Study Title: How the Loss of Dopamine  DopamineA "chemical messenger" that regulates movement by assisting in the effective communication (transmission) of electrochemical signals in the brain from one nerve cell (neuron) to another. As dopamine producing cells degenerate with advancing PD, they no longer produce enough to regulate neurons elsewhere in the brain, resulting in a loss of control of movements, leading to symptoms such as slowed movements, tremor, and rigidity. and Dopamine-Restoring Medicines Affect Movement Performance
Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)A branch of the National Institutes of Health whose research concentrates on the brain and conditions that result in brain function irregularities. The NINDS funds much of the research on Parkinson's disease.  Parkinson's DiseaseA chronic, slowly progressive disease of the nervous system characterized by the combination of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and stooped posture, among other symptoms. Internet address: http://www.ninds.nih.gov (NINDS)
Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT00040196
Study ID: NCT00040196

Summary

The purpose of this trial is to find new information about Parkinson's disease and normal aging that might lead to better ways to treat the disease. This trial has two purposes: 1) to understand the changes in the brain as the brain chemical (dopamine) is reduced as a person gets older compared to patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and: 2) to investigate how medicines used to treat PD improve movement performance. Participants will undergo a brain imaging technique (called functional magnetic resonance imaging  Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)A non-invasive technique that uses magnetism to create detailed pictures of the inside of the human body. or fMRI) lasting one to two hours. Some of the participants may be asked to undergo another type of brain imaging procedure (called positron emission tomography or PET) on a separate visit. This process lasts two hours or less.

Study Phase

Not Applicable
What is a study phase?

Symptoms Addressed: Study does not address symptoms

Study does not address symptoms

Time Commitment

• Less than one month
• not specified

Eligibility

• Minimum Age: 21
• Gender(s) Accepted: Either

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 21 and older
• Have Parkinson's disease
• Must respond well to Parkinson's disease medications
• Must be right-handed
• Participants must refrain from caffeine and nicotine for at least 12 hours and from alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to each study visit.

Exclusion Criteria

• Have certain implanted devices containing metal (for example pacemaker, metal plate in skull)
• Participant should not have previous or current substance abuse.
• People who come from families with a history of Parkinson's disease
• Must not be pregnant

Enrollment

Expected Enrollment: 88 (US)
Date Enrollment Began: Jun 19 2002
Last Updated Date: Oct 28 2004
Trial Post Date: Oct 28 2004
Website: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00040196

Primary Contacts and Locations

Maryland

• No Individual Specified — Patient Recruiting and Public Liaison Office
  prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov
  Phone: 800-411-1222
  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
  9000 Rockville Pike
  Bethesda, MD 20892
  USA