Clinical Research Directory

Slowing Cognitive Decline in Alpha-synucleinopathies by Enhancing Physical Activity

α-Synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, are the second most common neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to progressive motor deterioration, cognitive decline is a key element of the non-motor symptom complex of these diseases. Isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) indicates an early stage of α-synucleinopathies, even before relevant motor or cognitive disorders are present. Therapeutic interventions in individuals with iRBD therefore have great preventive potential. In particular, increasing physical activity could have a relevant effect on neurodegenerative processes, including the preservation of cognitive functions. The aim of the study is therefore to investigate the effects of increased physical activity in everyday life on cognitive functions in individuals with iRBD. In this randomized, double-blind, actively controlled study, an increase in physical activity will be implemented over a period of one year with the help of a motivational smartphone application. The intervention and control conditions are the same as those used in the Slow-SPEED trials, making the connection between the trials concrete. The primary outcome parameter is the change in cognitive performance in a neuropsychological test battery over one year. Eighty individuals with iRBD and 50 age- and gender-matched individuals are being recruited at the University Hospital Bonn and the "Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen" (DZNE) Bonn (German branch only). In addition to classic neuropsychological tests as the primary endpoint, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and blood-based markers of brain aging are being examined as secondary endpoints. This study is in close collaboration with the Slow-SPEED study (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06993142). In addition, selected data from three separate trials-Alpha-Fit, Slow-SPEED-NL, and a sister trial in Austria currently in preparation-are planned to be synthesized into a meta-analysis.

New Advanced Vascular Imaging Ultrasound Protocols

This is a single-center observational study aimed at setting up and testing new ultrasound vascular imaging protocols, conducted exclusively for research purposes. The study will perform US examinations in 60 subjects. The subjects enrolled in the study will be examined the first time and will then provide consent to be examined again in the future if needed. The primary aim of this study is to set-up and test new advanced US protocol for the arm and cerebral blood vessels The secondary objectives will be: * Define ranges of normality/reference values of US-based parameters to be compared with pathological values. * Evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of the acquired US measurements. * Evaluate the correlation between age and the acquired US measurements. * Evaluate the correlation between gender and the acquired US measurements.

Slow-SPEED: Slowing Parkinson's Early Through Exercise Dosage

The goal of this clinical trial is two-fold. First to investigate the feasibility of whether a remotely administered smartphone app can increase the volume and intensity of physical activity in daily life in individuals with a LRRK2 G2019S or GBA1 N370S genetic mutation over a long period of time (24 months). Second, to explore the preliminary efficacy of exercise on markers for prodromal Parkinson's disease progression in individuals with a LRRK2 G2019S or GBA1 N370S genetic mutation. Participants will be tasked to achieve an incremental increase of daily steps (volume) and amount of minutes exercised at a certain heart rate (intensity) with respect to their own baseline level. Motivation with regards to physical activity will entirely be communicated through the study specific Slow Speed smartphone app. A joint primary objective consists of two components. First to determine the longitudinal effect of an exercise intervention in LRRK2 G2019S or GBA1 N370S variant carriers on a prodromal load score, comprised of digital biomarkers of prodromal symptoms. The secondary component of the primary outcome is to determine the feasibility of a remote intervention study. The secondary objective is the effect of a physical activity intervention on digital markers of physical fitness. Exploratory outcomes entail retention rate, completeness of remote digital biomarker assessments, digital prodromal motor and non-motor features of PD. Using these biomarkers, the investigators aim to develop a composite score (prodromal load score) to estimate the total prodromal load. An international exercise study with fellow researchers in the United Kingdom are currently in preparation (Slow-SPEED-UK) and active in the Netherlands (Slow-SPEED-NL). Our intention is to analyse overlapping outcomes combined where possible through a meta-analysis plan, to obtain insight on (determinants of) heterogeneity in compliance and possible efficacy across subgroups

Slow-SPEED-NL: Slowing Parkinson's Early Through Exercise Dosage-Netherlands

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the feasibility if a remotely administered smartphone app can increase the volume and intensity of physical activity in daily life in patients with isolated Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder over a long period of time (24 months). Participants will be tasked to achieve an incremental increase of daily steps (volume) and amount of minutes exercised at a certain heart rate (intensity) with respect to their own baseline level. Motivation with regards to physical activity will entirely be communicated through the study specific Slow Speed smartphone app. Primary outcomes will be compliance expressed as longitudinal change in digital measures of physical activity (step count) measured using a Fitbit smartwatch. Exploratory outcomes entail retention rate, completeness of remote digital biomarker assessments, digital prodromal motor and non-motor features of PD, blood biomarkers and brain imaging markers. Using these biomarkers, we aim to develop a composite score (prodromal load score) to estimate the total prodromal load. An international exercise study with fellow researchers in the United States and United Kingdom are currently in preparation (Slow-SPEED). Our intention is to analyse overlapping outcomes combined where possible through a meta-analysis plan, to obtain insight on (determinants of) heterogeneity in compliance and possible efficacy across subgroups