Neuroimaging of Parkinson's

Summary

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by dysfunction in both subcortical structures and the cortex. The investigators recently discovered a new brain system called the Somato-Cognitive Action Network (SCAN), which could be a primary locus of dysfunction in PD. Here, the investigators will use magnetic resonance imaging techniques in PD patients to test whether SCAN is critical for PD. The investigators will determine whether SCAN is connected to PD-relevant subcortical structures, and whether PD patients exhibit altered subcortical-to-SCAN connectivity. If successful, this work will identify SCAN as a specific circuit altered in PD patients that can serve as a new target for future neuromodulatory PD therapies.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Must meet specific health and cognitive criteria depending on the group. For PD participants
* Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease
* Must not meet dementia criteria For Healthy Control Participants
* Normal or benign neurological exam
* Normal cognition
* No first-degree relatives with Parkinson's Disease

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Neurological Disorders (other than PD)

   \- Any other neurological condition
2. Significant Head Injury

   * Head injury with loss of consciousness \>5 minutes
   * Or any neurological sequelae
3. Psychiatric Disorders

   * Schizophrenia
   * Bipolar Disorder
   * Epilepsy
4. Serious Medical Conditions

   * End-stage organ failure
   * Ongoing cancer treatment
5. Cognitive Impairment

   * Diagnosis of dementia
   * MMSE score \<24 or MoCA score \<21
6. MRI contraindications

   * Metal implants
   * claustrophobia
   * Weight over 300 lbs (due to weight restrictions of the MRI scanner)

Conditions2

Locations1 site

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