Functional Neuroimaging in Parkinson's Disease

The study uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to better understand changes in the brain underlying motor symptoms affecting upper and lower limbs in Parkinson's disease.

There is a tremendous need to improve the understanding of the pathophysiology underlying motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease in order to optimize existing treatment options/develop new therapies. This study seeks to further the understanding of impaired movement in Parkinson's disease by examining brain changes and how these relate to changes in motor behavior. The study uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a noninvasive imaging technique that does not include X-rays. MRI will assess brain activity in response to simple and coordinated movements of the upper and lower limbs that participants have to perform inside the MRI scanner. Motor and cognitive function outside the scanner using various clinical and behavioral tests will also be assessed. The study includes 1 visit to the University of Delaware.