Neural Control of Breathing in Parkinson's Disease

Summary

Breathing is a complex process, which can be controlled through voluntary command or neural control. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder. Many individuals with PD experience respiratory problems, such as coughing difficulties or shortness of breath. Changes in neural control of breathing could be part of the reason of these respiratory problems. This study will measure whether neural control of breathing is impaired in individuals with PD compared to healthy individuals.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy subjects: competent adult (\>18 years) volunteers
* Patients: adult (\<18 years) patients with Parkinson's disease, clinically confirmed by a movement disorder specialised neurologist with Hoehn and Yahr staging 1 to 3
* Willingness and ability to understand nature and content of the study
* Ability to participate and comply with study requirements

Exclusion Criteria:

* Healthy subjects: previous or ongoing diseases of the central nervous system
* Patients: previous or ongoing diseases of the central nervous system, other than Parkinson's disease
* History of or current psychiatric treatment
* History of or current brain surgery or epilepsy, unclusing deep brain stimulation
* Neuromuscular disorders
* Pre-existing pulmonary disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma or pulmonary fibrosis
* TMS incompatibility (metal parts in head or neck, skin allergies)
* Implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator, neurostimulator, cochlear implant or medical infusion device
* Large or ferromagnetic metal parts in the head (exept for a dental wire)
* Pregnancy
* Smoking

Conditions2

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