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Clinical Trials/NCT02387281
NCT02387281
Completed
Not Applicable

Freezing of Gait: Clinical, Cognitive, and Imaging Features

Emory University2 sites in 1 country60 target enrollmentMarch 2015

Overview

Phase
Not Applicable
Intervention
Not specified
Conditions
Parkinson Disease
Sponsor
Emory University
Enrollment
60
Locations
2
Primary Endpoint
Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III
Status
Completed
Last Updated
8 years ago

Overview

Brief Summary

Freezing of gait (FOG) is among the most disabling motor features of Parkinson disease (PD) and is present in other forms of parkinsonism as well. FOG is a brief (usually lasting <30 seconds) episode of absence or a greatly reduced forward movement of the feet despite intention to walk. It typically occurs when patients initiate gait (so-called "start hesitation") and when attempting to turn. It is a leading cause of falls and often results in a wheelchair-dependent state. FOG greatly interferes with activities of daily living, causes social isolation and poor quality of life.

FOG is one of the least understood features of PD. It possibly may develop independent of the other motor features of the disease, and be caused by specific pathological changes in the brain. Previous studies on FOG have shown conflicting information and have not lead to clear understanding of the pathophysiology. One key reason for this is that there appears to be multiple subtypes which have rarely been taken into account.

The purpose of this study is to show that different types of FOG exist and to see if there is a connection to cognitive differences or gait patterns.

Detailed Description

This study is an observational study to assess FOG via using multiple methods such as: clinical features, imaging, cognition and dopamine blood levels. The study consists of four parts (plus an optional fifth part) that will be completed over two-three separate days within a 30 day span. The four parts will not necessarily be performed in this order. Part one will be clinical and written questionnaire assessments of PD and FOG followed by 3D motion capture evaluations. Part two are cognitive or neuropsychiatric assessments. Part three is a magnetic resonance image (MRI) to examine the brain structure. Part four is Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging scan that measures norepinephrine transporter levels. The optional part 5 is a lumbar puncture that will measure cerebrospinal fluid catecholamines and proteomics.

Registry
clinicaltrials.gov
Start Date
March 2015
End Date
November 13, 2017
Last Updated
8 years ago
Study Type
Observational
Sex
All

Investigators

Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Stewart Factor

Professor

Emory University

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

  • Not provided

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III

Time Frame: Baseline

MDS-UPDRS retains the four-scale structure with a reorganization of the various subscales. The Part III motor examination has 18 items, which are rated from 0-4, where 0 = normal, 1 = slight, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, and 4 = severe.

Plasma concentrations of levodopa

Time Frame: Baseline

Levodopa plasma concentrations measured by modified high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection method during "on" and "off" episodes.

Response to levodopa

Time Frame: Baseline

Subjects will be assessed in the "on" and "off" states to classify them properly according to pharmacological response to levodopa

Classification of FOG using motion capture

Time Frame: Baseline

Classifying of FOG ("on" and "off") will be done measuring gait physiology though 3-dimensional motion capture between and during FOG episodes.

Secondary Outcomes

  • Flanker task score(Baseline)
  • N-back task score(Baseline)
  • Digit Span Test score(Baseline)
  • Number of seconds required to complete Trail Making Test (TMT): Trails A and Trails B(Baseline)
  • Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) score(Baseline)
  • Number of correct trials in Morris Water Maze Paradigm(Baseline)
  • Number of correct trials in Recognition of Scenes(Baseline)
  • Dimensional Set Shifting task score(Baseline)
  • Brief Visuospatial Memory Test score(Baseline)
  • Number of correct responses for Mental Rotation Task(Baseline)
  • Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) score(Baseline)
  • Measurement of norepinephrine transporter levels(Baseline)
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score(Baseline)
  • Hopkins Verbal Memory Test Total Recall score(Baseline)
  • Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score(Baseline)
  • Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive disorders in Parkinson's disease (QUIP)(Baseline)
  • Dot Counting task score(Baseline)
  • Hopkins Verbal Memory Test Delayed Recall score(Baseline)
  • Number of correct responses for Confrontation Naming task(Baseline)
  • Verbal Fluency in Naming Categories(Baseline)
  • Benton Judgment of Line Orientation Test(Baseline)
  • Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score(Baseline)
  • New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (NFOG-Q) score(Baseline)
  • Measurement of neuromelanin-containing neurons in the locus ceruleus and substantia nigra(Baseline)
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers(Baseline)

Study Sites (2)

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