Research: Brain activity during movements in Parkinson’s disease
Using wireless brain implants to understand how Parkinson’s affects people’s ability to walk, paving the way for new treatments.
Summary
Research summary
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July 2021 to July 2025
The research aims to better understand what causes postural instability and gait disturbances (PIGDs) in people with Parkinson’s disease.
PIGDs are some of the most disabling symptoms of Parkinson’s and common in its later stages. They also tend to be less responsive to traditional treatments.
We are using electrodes implanted in the part of the brain affected by Parkinson’s, the basal ganglia, to record and analyse what happens as people walk.
This new technique is helping us to uncover fresh insights.
We are focusing on the connection between the basal ganglia and part of the brainstem that is known to degenerate in people with Parkinson’s.
Understanding how the degeneration affects the activity of the basal ganglia during walking will ultimately help to develop better treatments.
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Outputs
Research outputs
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Academic papers, reports and other research outputs will be linked from here when they are published.
Team
Research team
Lead researchers
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Dr Sarah Martin
Co-researchers
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Dr Nelson Trujillo-Barreto, University of Manchester
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Prof Monty Silverdale, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Funding
With funding from
NAIMLAB
Health Innovation Manchester
Contact
Contact us
For general enquiries about our Neuroscience of Ageing and Impaired Mobility cluster, you can contact research lead Dr Nicola Ray.
