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Can brain scans and typing tests reveal early Parkinson's signs?

NCT ID NCT04101968

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

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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
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
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 Results may not be published yet.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

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Sep 02, 2026 · Last updated Sep 03, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study uses advanced PET brain scans to measure dopamine, acetylcholine, and tau protein levels in people with GBA gene mutations, both with and without Parkinson's disease. Researchers also analyze typing patterns on a computer or touchscreen to detect subtle motor changes. The goal is to understand how GBA mutations contribute to Parkinson's and to find early biomarkers of the disease.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
PET scans and typing analysis
What this could lead to
If successful, this could identify early markers of Parkinson's disease in people with GBA mutations, leading to earlier diagnosis and better monitoring.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study focused on understanding disease mechanisms, not testing a treatment. The findings may not apply to all Parkinson's patients or lead directly to new therapies.

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

30 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

May 2019

Finished

Jun 2026

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

People with a known pathogenic GBA gene mutation with or without PD.

Ages

18 to 80 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

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: * heterozygous for a pathogenic GBA mutation (e.g., p.L444P, p.N370S) or polymorphism; * age 18 to 80 years. Exclusion Criteria: * co-occurrence of other neurological disorders; * implants that contraindicate the MRI scanning (e.g. cardiac pacemaker, ferromagnetic implants or devices); * severe claustrophobia; * intolerance to antiparkinsonian drug withdrawal (for GBA-PD subjects); * ongoing treatment with cholinergic drugs

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Gaucher disease Parkinson disease

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Gaucher disease Gba gene mutation Parkinson disease

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Oregon Health & Science University

    Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States

  • Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre | University of British Columbia

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

  • University of Washington

    Seattle, Washington, 98108-1595, United States

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