This study will explore the relationship between multimodal brain MRI findings and cognitive/mood outcomes in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients following Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Patients already planning to undergo DBS for PD who choose to take part in this study will have study visits before and after DBS to collect motor, neurobehavioral and physical therapy measurements.

Patients who are already planning to undergo DBS for PD who choose to take part in this study will have study visits before and after DBS surgery to collect motor, neurobehavioral and physical therapy measurements. While many of these components are part of as standard of care, some assessments will need to be collected specifically for research purposes. There are two in-person visits (one before DBS surgery and one approximately 3-6 months after surgery). As part of the study, an MRI to gather data to answer our research questions will be conducted. This is in addition to the clinical MRI that is part of the regular assessment to determine if an individual is suitable for the DBS surgery.

$130 if components of study are completed

Parkinson’s disease and a number of similar conditions, such as progressive supranuclear palsy and multiple system atrophy, often look very similar clinically, particularly early in the disease. Since there is no objective way to diagnose these disorders definitively, the current practice is to follow patients over time to allow the disease to reveal itself. Evidence indicates, however, that even the best movement disorder specialist can provide the wrong diagnosis approximately 25 percent of the time. This lack of diagnostic certainty has limited both clinical practice and research. The goal of this longitudinal study is to determine whether specific MRI and biofluid measures, such as proteins in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, can help better diagnose Parkinson’s, progressive supranuclear palsy and multiple system atrophy patients.

Participants are asked to complete a screening, baseline and 12-month visit. During the baseline and 12-month visit, participants are asked to complete some questionnaires as well as a fasting blood draw, motor evaluation, smell test and MRI. Participants also may choose to complete additional study components that ultimately may guide the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of Parkinson's and its related disorders. These optional components include skin punch biopsies, a lumbar puncture and participation in the Translational Brain Research Center's brain donation program.

$900.00

The purpose of this study is to use fMRI to identify and characterize the olfactory, auditory, visual and trigeminal-related brain networks. This research will then be use to enhance human health by laying the foundation to develop sensitive biomarkers to identify people who are at risk of developing brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, where olfactory deficits are known preclinical symptoms.

Inhalation of welding fumes has been known to cause tremor, muscle rigidity and abnormal gait similar to what is seen in Parkinson's disease. Previous studies by the Translational Brain Research Center have used measures such as brain MRIs and tests for movement and function to investigate the effect of these welding fumes on brain health in active welders. The center is currently expanding its efforts to investigate brain health in retired welders.This is an independent study sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, with no affiliation to any private entities such as law firms.In this study participants will be asked to undergo clinical tests (blood draw, motor examination, memory tests), complete lifestyle questionnaires, and undergo an MRI scan during a baseline and 18 month follow-up visit. Participants also will be mailed a welding exposure questionnaire to complete every three months between their baseline and follow-up visit.

Participants will attend a screening call with the study team, an in-person baseline visit and an in-person follow up visit (at 18 months). Participants will complete questionnaires, undergo clinical tests (blood draw, motor evaluations, memory tests), and undergo MRI scan. Participants will also have the option to complete mobile phone assessments and undergo four skin punch biopsies.

Up to $750 per participant

This research is being done to study the deterioration of the central olfactory system (sense of smell system) in the brains of patients diagnosed with early- stage Parkinson’s disease.

This research is being done to study the deterioration of the central olfactory system (sense of smell system) in the brains of patients diagnosed with H&Y stage 1 or 2 Parkinson’s disease compared to that of healthy volunteers.

In this study, you will receive a clinical evaluation and an MRI examination. After that, you will be followed every 12 months for up to 4 years.

up to a total of $250.00.

The purpose of this research study is 1.) to determine if Parkinson’s Disease (PD) causes changes in the way that people sense the movements of and forces produced by their bodies, and to connect any of these changes in sensation to changes in the brain, and 2.) to identify how changes in movement might come from different parts of the nervous system. This study will use a combination of electromyography, via electrodes placed on the skin, and finger force recordings to infer how PD affects patients' sense of force production, and the neural mechanisms underlying this change.

This study requires a single in-person visit. We will use adhesive skin sensors on the forearms to measure muscle activity. At the same time, we test the participant's finger strength and then ask them to press with moderate force on piano-key-like sensors. Participants will be asked to match force levels between hands and to move an on-screen cursor into a target.

$40.00

The purpose of this study is to collect normative data related to orofacial (lip/tongue) somatosensation (touch sensation) in healthy adults across the adult lifespan. This data will be compared to a select clinical population, those with Parkinson's disease.

There will be one data collection session lasting approximately 90 minutes. Participants may be invited back for a second session approximately 4 weeks later to repeat the testing sessionDuring the sessions, participants will answer a series of questions about their eating and drinking preferences, they will be asked to provide a speech sample by repeating a series of syllables, words, and sentences, as well as providing a spontaneous speech sample.All participants will be asked to complete a series of sensory tests where small plastic objects are placed on their lip, tongue, and finger tip. Participants will be asked when they feel the pressure/texture and when they do not.