Neurobiological Drivers of Mobility Resilience: The Dopaminergic System - Supplemental Open-Label Arm

Study Summary

Walking with age becomes both slower and less 'automated', requiring more attention and brain resources. As a result, older adults have a greater risk of negative outcomes and falls. There is an urgent need to identify factors that can help compensate for these harmful factors and reduce walking impairments, as there are currently no effective treatments available. Investigators have recently discovered that \~20% of older adults maintain fast walking speed even in the presence of small blood vessel brain changes and leg problems, thus appearing to be protected against these harmful factors. The investigators work suggests that the brain dopamine (DA) system may be a source of this protective capacity. Investigators have also shown that lower levels of dopamine are associated with slow walking. Investigators will be investigating the role of dopamine on slow walking and other parkinsonian signs in this open-label study using detailed clinical assessment, assessment of dopamine activity, and clinical interventions.

Primary Outcome

Average gait speed as measured using wearable sensors and while walking on a sensor mat. Participants rose from a seated position and then walked on a flat surface toward some cones on the floor. After reaching the cones, they then turned and returned to their starting position and sat down. The whole distance walked was 8.5 meters. Gait speed is measured in meters per second.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• DRUG Carbidopa 25 mg
• DRUG Carbidopa-Levodopa 25/100 mg

Study Locations (2)