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Retinal Function in Parkinson's Disease

Conditions
Parkinson's Disease
Registration Number
NCT01010074
Lead Sponsor
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Brief Summary

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement (bradykinesia) and, in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms are the results of decreased stimulation of the motor cortex arising from the basal ganglia normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the brain. Secondary symptoms may include high level cognitive dysfunction and subtle language problems. Included in the symptomatology experienced by patients with PD, visual abnormalities are not uncommon. Visual changes among patients with PD appear not only dynamic in nature, but differentially affected based on the course of the disease and, perhaps more importantly, its treatment. Parkinson's disease has significant ramifications not only in observation of irregularities in vision, but how vision interacts with entrainment of the circadian clock. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between PD and operation of a unique set of retinal cells known to regulate the circadian clock and sleep-wake cycles in human subjects.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria

age 18-64 best corrected visual acuity of 20/25 or better in each eye -

Exclusion Criteria

evidence of any form of eye disease, inability to understand and sign informed consent.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
pupillary thresholdone
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hines VA Medical Center

🇺🇸

Hines, Illinois, United States

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