Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 50Years +
All Genders
ID05400174

Effects of Blood Pressure on Cognition and Cerebral Blood Flow in Parkinson Disease

Led by University of California, San Diego · Updated on 2026-04-27

60

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

U

University of California, San Diego

Lead Sponsor

B

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and thinking abilities. This research aims to explore how blood pressure (BP), especially low BP when standing (orthostatic hypotension or OH), impacts brain function in people with PD. The study compares people with PD who have OH and those who do not to understand the relationship between BP, thinking skills, and brain blood flow, which may help identify treatable factors for cognitive problems in PD. Participants will undergo a screening visit involving medical history review, physical and neurological exams, a tilt table test to confirm OH, and various questionnaires and cognitive tests. Eligible participants then attend a baseline study visit where they wear a continuous, non-invasive BP monitor called the CareTaker® and a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) cap to measure brain blood flow. Cognitive tests are performed while lying down (supine) and while upright on a tilt table in randomized order to assess how BP changes affect thinking. Throughout the study visit, BP and brain oxygenation are continuously recorded and synchronized with cognitive testing sessions. The study measures cognitive performance using tests like the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Verbal Fluency Test and monitors changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the brain. The total involvement includes screening and baseline visits lasting about three hours each, with detailed monitoring to understand how BP impacts cognition and brain blood flow in PD over up to 30 months.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Blood Pressure Effects on Cognition and Brain Blood Flow in PD

Who Can Participate

Age: 50Years +
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson Disease using Movement Disorders Society Clinical Diagnostic Criteria
  • Age 50 years or older
  • Hoehn & Yahr stages I-III (early to moderate-stage PD; able to walk without assistance)
  • Proficiency in English at a native speaker level
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Involuntary movements (tremor or dyskinesia) greater than 3 cm in amplitude unless treated with medication
  • Dementia including Parkinson Disease dementia
  • History of deep brain stimulation surgery
  • Current unstable or active medical problems such as heart failure, liver failure, or pneumonia
  • Moderate or severe carotid artery stenosis
  • History of stroke or brain hemorrhage
  • Uncontrolled diabetes or systemic disease causing autonomic failure
  • Fainting episodes within the past week
  • Illiteracy (unable to read)
  • Taking antihypertensive medications, alpha-adrenergic blockers, diuretics, or medications for enlarged prostate
  • Uncorrected hearing or vision impairments
  • Currently pregnant
  • Any condition posing increased risk as judged by the investigator

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person) lasting about 3 hours

Diagnostic Evaluation

Duration - 1 day (about 3 hours)

Participants undergo detailed cognitive testing in supine and upright positions using a tilt table, while continuous blood pressure and brain blood flow are monitored.

1 baseline visit (in-person) lasting about 3 hours

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

University of California San Diego

San Diego, California, United States, 92093

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

K

Katherine Longardner, MD

M

Michael Skipworth, BS

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Number of Arms

2

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Published Research Related To This Trial

The recommendations of a consensus panel for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and associated supine hypertension.

Christopher H Gibbons, Peter Schmidt, Italo Biaggioni...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28050656

'Under pressure': is there a link between orthostatic hypotension and cognitive impairment in α-synucleinopathies?

Sean J Udow, Andrew D Robertson, Bradley J MacIntosh...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27613160