Oxford study of quantification in parkinsonism

Research summary

Most medical conditions can be rapidly and accurately quantified. For example we can accurately measure the airflow rate in the lungs in asthma or the degree of narrowing of arteries in heart disease. However, we still measure many brain diseases using a clinical rating scale, a system of points assigned by an observer based on their impression of the person's condition. Such scales are subjective, i.e. two different people assessing the same patient may not score the patient equally, and they are also nonlinear, meaning that for example the difference between scores of 30 and 40 may not be the same as the difference between scores of 20 and 30. These things make analysis of changes over time difficult. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) are both measured with rating scales. New treatments for both are being sought and in due course will need to be subjected to clinical trials, but the problems of rating scales mean that the results of trials may become apparent less quickly than they would if we had accurate and objective numerical measures of disease state. Trials consume a great deal of resources and it is desirable to obtain results at the earliest stage possible so that resources can be focused on the drugs showing most potential. In this study we will follow patients with PD and PSP on a three monthly basis over a two year period. Using specialized testing equipment, we will measure subtle abnormalities of movements of the body and the eyes, and changes in cognitive performance. We will evaluate the ability of these numerical measures to provide the much needed capability of accurately and objectively quantifying these diseases, and tracking their progression over time. The study is funded by UCB.

Principal Investigator

Prof James Fitzgerald

Contact us

Email: dendron@ouh.nhs.uk

IRAS number

211382