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Norman Fixel Institute for
Neurological Diseases
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principal investigator

study rationale

Dyspnea, a frequent and debilitating symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD), arises from complex respiratory and neurological dysfunctions. While previous studies have linked dyspnea to motor and neuropsychological impairments in PD, the neural mechanisms underlying this symptom remain poorly understood. This study aims to use magnetoencephalography (MEG) and MRI to identify the cortical and neural pathways involved in dyspnea perception, with a focus on PD patients and non-PD controls​.

hypothesis

Effort-related dyspnea activates distinct neural pathways, initially involving the sensorimotor cortex and subsequently the affective neural pathways, including the lateral frontal lobe, middle temporal gyrus, and insular cortex. PD patients will exhibit altered activation patterns in these regions compared to non-PD controls​.

study design

  • Aim 1: Determine the cortical sources and neural responses to single-breath inspiratory loading that elicits effort dyspnea.
  • Aim 2: Assess the cortical responses to sustained inspiratory loading, which generates prolonged dyspnea, to evaluate increased affective pathway activation.
    The study involves MEG and MRI imaging combined with respiratory tests and dyspnea perception ratings. Data will be analyzed using advanced signal processing and statistical methods to identify cortical activation patterns​.

impact

This study will advance understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms behind dyspnea in PD. Findings could inform the development of targeted interventions to alleviate dyspnea, improving respiratory function and quality of life for PD patients. Insights may also have broader implications for treating respiratory symptoms in other neuromuscular diseases​.

next steps for development

Data generated from this pilot study will support an NIH-NHLBI R01 grant application, with the long-term goal of developing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for dyspnea in PD. The study lays the groundwork for further exploration of respiratory and cortical interactions in other diseases​.

additional information

The total budget of $46,302 includes imaging costs, participant reimbursement, supplies, and publication expenses. Non-PD and PD participants will undergo MEG and MRI imaging following a controlled respiratory challenge to assess neural activity patterns​.

collaboration

The study involves a multidisciplinary team:

  • Dr. Paul W. Davenport (Physiological Sciences): Principal Investigator, expert in respiratory neurophysiology and dyspnea mechanisms.
  • Dr. Abbas Babajani-Feremi (Neurology & AI): Co-PI, with expertise in neuroimaging and machine learning.
  • Dr. Karen Wheeler-Hegland (Speech Language and Hearing Sciences): Co-PI, specializing in dysphagia and dystussia.
  • Andre Miranda (Biological Scientist): Manages subject recruitment, data collection, and compliance​.

milestones

Timeline: 8/1/2023 – 6/30/2024

IRB Submission and Approval:

  • Initial submission: 8/1/2023 – 9/30/2023
  • Revised protocol approved: 7/29/2024

Equipment Setup and Testing:

  • Completion: 9/30/2023

Non-PD Subject Recruitment and Testing:

  • Timeline: 9/30/2023 – 4/30/2024

PD Participant Recruitment and Testing:

  • Timeline: 1/15/2024 – 5/31/2024

MEG and MRI Data Analysis:

  • Timeline: 9/30/2023 – 6/30/2024

Manuscript Preparation:

  • Timeline: 6/1/2024 – 6/30/2024

NIH-NHLBI Proposal Submission:

  • Timeline: 5/1/2024 – 10/1/2024