RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Exercise & Brain Energetics in PD

This study aims to understand how exercise might improve how the brain uses energy in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Scientists believe that energy use in the brain changes in PD, and this study will explore if exercise can have a positive effect. We'll use special brain scans, called fMRI and PET scans, to look at brain energy levels in people with PD before and after they take part in a supervised exercise program. We will also scan healthy volunteers to compare how their brains use energy. The goal is to see if exercise can help the brains of people with PD work more efficiently.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre

Enrolment target

Start

26 Jan 2021

Estimated completion

30 Dec 2025

Parkinson Disease

What is this study about?

Imagine your brain as a busy city, always needing power to keep everything running. In people with Parkinson's disease, it's thought that the way the brain gets and uses this power, or 'energy', might not be working as well as it should. This study wants to find out if exercise can help improve how the brain handles its energy, potentially making it work more effectively.

To do this, we'll be using advanced brain scanning techniques, like fMRI and PET scans. Don't worry, these are safe and non-invasive ways to look inside your brain. We'll take these scans before and after people with Parkinson's disease go through a supervised exercise programme. This will help us compare and see if exercise makes a difference to how their brains use energy. We'll also scan healthy volunteers to understand normal brain energy use, which helps us compare with the findings from people with Parkinson's.

The main idea behind this research is that exercise could be a way to support brain health in Parkinson's disease. By understanding how exercise affects brain energy, we might be able to develop better ways to help people living with the condition. It's an important step towards finding new approaches to manage Parkinson's.

Key takeaways

This study explores how exercise affects brain energy in Parkinson's.
It uses special brain scans (fMRI and PET) before and after an exercise programme.
The research aims to improve understanding of Parkinson's and future treatments.
Participation involves supervised exercise and brain scans.
You might need to pause your Parkinson's medication briefly for some scans.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people aged 40 to 80 years old, both men and women, who have Parkinson's disease. Your Parkinson's should be mild to moderate, and if you don't usually exercise much (less than two hours a week), you might be a good fit. We also want to include some people with Parkinson's who already exercise regularly, to compare.

However, there are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have other serious health conditions like certain heart problems, diabetes, or severe breathing difficulties, or if you've had cancer recently. We also can't include pregnant or breastfeeding women, or anyone with certain metal implants that aren't safe for MRI scans, like some pacemakers.

We'll need people who can temporarily stop their Parkinson's medication for up to 24 hours for part of the study. Also, if you have severe claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or can't lie still for about 90 minutes, the brain scans might be too difficult. The study team will chat with you personally to see if you're a good fit.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 40 and 80 years old?
Do you have mild to moderate Parkinson's disease?
Do you currently exercise less than 2 hours per week (or are a regular exerciser with PD)?
Are you able to temporarily stop your Parkinson's medication for up to 24 hours?
Do you feel comfortable in enclosed spaces for a scan?
Are you free of certain metal implants (e.g., some pacemakers)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you would first have a health check to make sure it's safe for you. You would then have two sets of special brain scans (fMRI and PET scans). One set will be done before you start, and another after you've finished the exercise programme. You will need to briefly stop your Parkinson's medication for up to 24 hours before some scans. For people who don't usually exercise, you'll take part in a supervised exercise programme. The total duration of your involvement will depend on the exercise part, but the main assessments and scans will be spread out.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could help us understand Parkinson's disease better in the future. You might find the exercise programme beneficial for your general health. However, there are some small risks, like discomfort during exercise or during the MRI scan if you're sensitive to enclosed spaces. There's also a very small amount of radiation exposure from the PET scan, similar to what you might get from a few X-rays. You can choose to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre
Verified postcode
Vancouver, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What kind of exercise will I do?

The study involves a supervised exercise program, which will be carefully chosen and overseen by experts.

Are the brain scans safe?

Yes, fMRI and PET scans are considered safe. You'll discuss any specific concerns with the study team.

Do I have to stop my Parkinson's medication?

For some brain scans, you might need to temporarily stop your medication for up to 24 hours, but this will be carefully managed.

Will I get results from my scans?

The information from the scans will be used for the study's research. Individual results are not typically provided directly, but overall study findings will be shared later.

What is 'brain energetics'?

It's a way of describing how your brain gets and uses the energy it needs to function properly, like fuel for a car.

How to find out more

Jessamyn McKenzie

jess.mckenzie@ubc.ca 604 822 7764 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.