Triggering Motor Memory Consolidation in PD: Complex Practice of Fine Motor Tasks and Brain Activity During Learning

Summary

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by severe motor symptoms, including upper limb dysfunction, that is only partially alleviated by medication. PD is also a motor learning disease due to the degradation of the striatum, involved in the consolidation of motor memory. We showed earlier that motor practice improves writing deficits and that there is long term potential when it is applied in a focused manner. However, retention difficulties were also apparent. What is currently unclear, is which learning method leads to optimal retention in PD and how it is expressed in underlying neural network changes. In healthy controls, retention is improved by incorporating dual task (DT) conditions or by loading cognition during learning. Our own work showed that DT training also led to better retention than single task (ST) learning, at least in a subgroup of PD. Using a combination of behavioral assessment, functional magnetic resonance imaging and upper limb task training, this project aims to understand how to boost the robustness of practice in PD. Throughout, we will contrast ST with DT learning. As complex practice can now easily be delivered via novel technology, this study will set out future avenues for rehabilitation targeted at specific neural circuitry.

Conditions

• Parkinson Disease

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Dual Task (DT) training

Participants will practice the Swipe Slide Pattern (SSP) task in combination with a secondary task, i.e. counting red or green lights. On day 1, participants perform 2 runs of the SSP-task (only one pattern), each lasting approx. 10 min, within an MR scanner. During each run, 9 trials of 30s are performed, alternated with rest periods of 14s. Instructions are provided before each trial (i.e. view of the pattern in combination with instruction to count red or green lights, 4s), as well as an answer option (i.e. participants have to indicate how many red or green lights they counted by circling a number from zero to nine, 6s). For the following 4 days, participants will continue practice of the SSP-task at home. During the at-home-sessions, participants will perform 9 trials of 12 patterns each, alternated with rest periods of 14s. Instruction and answers are also included. During at home practice, the same pattern as during scans is included, in combination with 2 new patterns.

BEHAVIORAL

Single Task (ST) training

Participants will practice the Swipe Slide Pattern (SSP) task without the presence of a secondary task. On day 1, participants perform two runs of the SSP-task (only one pattern), each lasting approx. 10 min, within an MR scanner. During each run, nine trials of 30s are performed, alternated with rest periods of 14s. In addition, instructions are provided before each trial (i.e. view of the pattern, 4s), as well as an answer option (i.e. participants have circle a random number from zero to nine, 6s). For the following four days (day 2-5), participants will continue practice of the SSP-task at home. During the at-home-sessions, participants will perform nine trials of 12 patterns each, alternated with rest periods of 14s. Instruction are also included. During at home practice, the same pattern as during scans is included, in combination with two new patterns.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• KU Leuven

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Alice Nieuwboer, PhD · KU Leuven

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

50 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-05-03

Primary Completion

2023-05-16

Completion

2023-05-16

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations