Movement Disorders
What are Movement Disorders and Parkinson's?
Parkinson’s disease and associated movement disorders affects nearly 100,000 Canadians, causing tremor, slowness, stiffness, and changes in gait. Parkinson’s results from a loss of cells in the brain from a region called the substantia nigra that produces key neurotransmitters such as dopamine — which is responsible for carrying signals through the body that allow for the coordination of movement. Many people living with Parkinson’s also have non-motor symptoms including: mood disorders, sleep changes, lightheadedness and dizziness, and sometimes changes to bladder function. In some cases, cognitive decline can also lead to dementia.
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CaPRI - Calgary Parkinson Research Initiative
The Hotchkiss Brain Institute coordinates the Calgary Parkinson Research Initiative (CaPRI), a research network on movement disorders with partners at the University of Calgary, Campus Alberta Neuroscience, C-OPN, Parkinson Association of Alberta, Quebec Parkinson Network, and Parkinson Canada. The CaPRI network allows understanding of the origins of the disease and its diverse symptoms, as well as developing and testing treatments to address them.
Research Impact
UCalgary scientists discover a way to measure fear of falling
Parkinson’s disease causes one of the highest risks of falling among all neurological conditions. In addition to motor function, these researchers discovered that cognitive function plays an important role, and findings from this study could lead to tailored treatment to improve quality of life.
Can TMS improve brain function for people with Parkinson's disease?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method to stimulate nerve cells in the brain using a handheld device that produces small electric currents. Researchers explore whether TMS can improve thinking or memory function for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Using dance as Parkinson’s therapy
Neuroscientists team up with the university’s dance program and Decidedly Jazz Danceworks to help those living with Parkinson’s. The study used weekly dance classes as a therapeutic tool for individuals with Parkinson’s to improve their practical motor skills.
Quick Facts
Understanding Movement Disorders
Causes of Parkinson’s are Unknown
Genetics cause about 10 to 15 percent of all Parkinson's. The other 85 to 90 percent of cases are classified as sporadic (or occasional). Although there is no cure, treatment options vary and include medications and surgery.
People with Parkinson’s can have a good quality life
While medication is the most common treatment, surgical therapy and lifestyle modifications, like rest and exercise, help manage symptoms. Exercise and physical activity can improve many symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Understanding Facial Masking
Many people with Parkinson’s experience reduced facial expression. Often, people will look serious, depressed or mad, but many times it’s just that Parkinson’s is causing muscles in the face to be stiff or take a long time to move.
Current Outlook
There is no cure for Parkinson’s. The CaPRI team includes more than 20 principal investigators with a particular strength in understanding the mechanisms of PD and its evolution, as well as the development of medications and non-pharmacological interventions.
Research Highlights
- Differentiating cognitive or motor dimensions associated with the perception of fall-related self-efficacy in Parkinson’s disease
The study shows the deterioration of a central cognitive mechanism that modulates self-efficacy also plays a critical role in fear-of-falling in Parkinson’s. Read the full study in the Nature Partner Journals here. - Wearable technological platform for multidomain diagnostic and exercise interventions in Parkinson's disease
Recent research shows that a new generation of wearable technology can be adopted as diagnostic and rehabilitation tools for people living with Parkinson's disease. Read the full study in International Review of Neurobiology here. - Common and unique connectivity at the interface of motor, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive symptoms in Parkinson's disease: A commonality analysis
Commonality analysis is applied to investigate the unique and common neural connectivity underlying the interface of the symptoms in 74 people with Parkinson’s. Read the full article in Human Brain Mapping here.
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