Is your inner ear to blame for Parkinson's falls?
NCT ID NCT04768647
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether balance and walking problems in people with Parkinson's disease are caused by changes in the inner ear (vestibular system) rather than just a lack of dopamine in the brain. 60 participants with Parkinson's underwent balance tests and brain scans. The goal was to better understand why these issues occur, not to test a new treatment.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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60 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2021
- Finished
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Oct 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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45 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * PD based on the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Diagnostic Research Criteria (n=64, gross recruitment) * M/F * age 45 years or older * duration of disease \> 5 years and/or Hoehn \& Yahr stages 1.5-4 able to ambulate independently and no evidence of dementia. Exclusion Criteria: * History of Meniere disease or recent onset of acute vestibular dysfunction, such as otolith disorders (BBPV etc). * Other disorders which may resemble PD, such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), vascular dementia, normal pressure hydrocephalus, multiple system atrophy (MSA), corticobasal ganglionic degeneration, or toxic causes of parkinsonism. Prototypical cases have distinctive clinical profiles, like early and severe dysautonomia (MSA) or appendicular apraxia, which may differentiate them from idiopathic PD and PSP. The use of the UKPDSBRC clinical diagnostic criteria for PD will mitigate the inclusion of subjects with atypical parkinsonism. * Evidence of a stroke or mass lesion on structural brain imaging (MRI). * Participants in whom MRI is contraindicated including, but not limited to, those with a pacemaker, presence of metallic fragments near the eyes or spinal cord, or cochlear implant. * Severe claustrophobia precluding MR or PET imaging. * Subjects limited by participation in research procedures involving ionizing radiation. * Pregnancy (test within 48 hours of each PET session) or breastfeeding.
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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
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University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105, United States
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VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105-2303, United States
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