Neurobiological Drivers of Mobility Resilience: The Dopaminergic System

Completed · Phase 1/Phase 2

Conditions studied: Parkinsonian Signs in Older Persons

In brief

Walking with age becomes both slower and less 'automated', requiring more attention and brain resources. As a result, older adults have a greater risk of negative outcomes and falls. There is an urgent need to identify factors that can help compensate for these harmful factors and reduce walking impairments, as there are currently no effective treatments available. Investigators have recently discovered that \~20% of older adults maintain fast walking speed even in the presence of small blood vessel brain changes and leg problems, thus appearing to be protected against these harmful factors. The investigators work suggests that the brain dopamine (DA) system may be a source of this protective capacity. Investigators have also shown that lower levels of dopamine are associated with slow walking. Investigators will be investigating the role of dopamine on slow walking and other parkinsonian signs using detailed clinical assessment, assessment of dopamine activity, and clinical interventions.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04325503

Run by

University of Michigan

People needed

14

Starts

2021-02-08

Expected to finish

2022-06-30

Last updated by the study team

2024-04-04

Who can join

Age: 60 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 60 or older (M/F)
• Evidence of mild parkinsonian signs (incl. slow gait (< 1m/s))

You may not qualify if…

• Presence of clinically significant degenerative joint disease and/or neuropathy interfering with proper assessment of the motor UPDRS exam.
• Presence of significant dementia.
• Evidence of a large vessel stroke in a clinically relevant area (cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus) or mass lesion on structural brain imaging (MRI).
• Participants in whom magnetic resonance imaging (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 neuroimaging procedures.
• Hypersensitivity to the carbidopa, levodopa, and tablet components.
• Any other medical history determined by investigators to preclude safe participation.

Where it is running

• Functional Neuroimaging, Cognitive, and Mobility Lab, University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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