Study of Brain Activity During Walking and Movement in Parkinsons Disease and Healthy Adults to Find Neural Markers for Gait

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the neural mechanisms involved in movement among people with Parkinsons Disease PD to better understand gait patterns and inspire personalized treatments. This observational study compares brain activity during walking and seated stepping tasks between healthy individuals and PD patients. The study aims to identify neural biomarkers linked to gait by examining characteristic brain oscillations in both groups. Participants include 60 adults 30 healthy controls divided by age group under and over 45 years and 30 PD patients with postural instability and gait difficulties. All participants undergo a single 2.5-hour session involving standardized gait sequences and a seated lower limb motor task. Neural activity is recorded using EEG in all participants, and PD patients additionally have signals recorded from implanted deep brain stimulation DBS electrodes. A neuromodulation task is also explored in PD patients. During the session, movement parameters such as gait symmetry, coordination, variability, and resilience are measured using motion capture, electromyography EMG, and accelerometers. Electroencephalography and local field potentials from DBS electrodes capture brain activity. Researchers assess cortical activity underlying movement and compare it between healthy and PD participants. The study includes detailed motor tasks and short-term neuromodulation, with all recording devices being market-approved.

Investigating Neural Biomarkers for Gait in Parkinson's Patients