Scientists decode gait signatures to spot brain diseases

NCT ID NCT02994719

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing This study
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

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Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 08, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study examines walking patterns in people with Parkinson's disease and similar neurological conditions, as well as healthy volunteers. Researchers aim to identify unique 'gait signatures'—speed-dependent measures of walking—that could help distinguish between different disorders. Participants walk under various conditions, including on and off anti-Parkinson medication or deep brain stimulation, to see how these treatments affect gait.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to
If successful, this could lead to better diagnostic tools for distinguishing between different neurological conditions that affect walking.
What could go wrong
This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not produce clear or generalizable results due to the small number of participants and variability in gait.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

About 120 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Mar 2016

Expected to finish

Jul 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

Subjects with Parkinsonism as defined by UK PD Brain Bank Criteria. The study population includes subjects with Parkinson's Disease and may also include subjects who may have indeterminate parkinsonism, when it is not clear whether they have idiopathic Parkinson's Disease versus one of the Atypical Parkinsonisms, such as Vascular Parkinsonism, Multiple System Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus or Corticobasal Degeneration. Subgroups include subjects with ataxia and huntington's disease and control subjects without known neurological disease.

Ages

18 to 85 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-85 (for both healthy and affected subjects). * Presence of at least 2 of the following: bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity, postural instability (UK PD Brain Bank Criteria) (Affected subjects only). * Montreal Cognitive Assessment will be employed to determine whether subjects will need the assent of a legally authorized representative. Subjects with MOCA ≤ 21 will be consented only with the assent of the subject and informed consent of the authorized legal representative (Affected subjects only). * These may include subjects who may have indeterminate parkinsonism, when it is not clear whether they have idiopathic Parkinson's Disease versus one of the Atypical Parkinsonisms, such as Vascular Parkinsonism, Multiple System Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus or Corticobasal Degeneration (Affected subjects only). * Subjects with assistive devices will be eligible for the study and may use them during the study (Affected subjects only). * Absence of complaints regarding difficulty walking such as arthritic pain, fatigue during walking or slowness of walking (Healthy subjects only). Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of alternative explanation for parkinsonism such as head trauma, drug-induced parkinsonism (affected subjects only). * Currently being treated for major medical illness requiring recent hospitalization (\<14 days) (for both healthy and affected subjects). * Currently participating in another clinical study with an intervention arm (for both healthy and affected subjects). * Inability to consent due to cognitive impairment and absence of legally authorized representative (for both healthy and affected subjects). * Subjects with any cardiac, pulmonary conditions (congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the past 90 days, recent myocardial infarction \< 90 days, supplemental oxygen-requiring subjects due to cardiac or pulmonary conditions) that limit their ability to safely participate in a walking trial (for both healthy and affected subjects).

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Clinical Research Center BIDMC

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

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