New Zealand Parkinson's Progression Programme (NZP3)
We are investigating the physical, cognitive and brain changes that take place in the progression of Parkinson’s disease. This is a large longitudinal study which has been running since 2007 and has collected data from approximately 460 local people with Parkinson's and 110 controls.
This study provides a platform for many other more targeted investigations, such as of caregiver burden, functional imaging, emotional effects on motor control, and epidemiology.
Who can take part in the study?
We are looking for people in Canterbury:
● With Parkinson’s disease, or
● Control participants who have no neurological issues
Why we research Parkinson’s disease
Cases of Parkinson’s disease are expected to increase in the future. Diagnosis can be life-altering, both for the people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones.
Based in Christchurch, the New Zealand Brain Research Institute conducts research into the effects and treatments for New Zealand’s most common brain disorders, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, early-onset dementia, Huntington’s, and multiple sclerosis.
Participation
The study includes face-to-face visits and online questionnaires.
We will assess memory, attention and problem-solving, speech and motor assessments as well as general health and symptoms related to Parkinson’s disease.
You might also be asked to take part in other assessments such as an MRI brain scan or electroencephalography (EEG) as a measurement of brain activity, or to provide a blood sample.
One of our participants is Marilyn Pond who takes pride in being part of the New Zealand Brain Research Institute’s Parkinson’s Progression Programme. She values the research and knows it will be important to others with this debilitating condition. She says “If you’re going to have Parkinson’s you may as well use it for something good. It brings a positive to it, instead of a negative.”
For Marilyn, she hopes research will find answers and ultimately a cure. “I enjoy doing the research, I feel like I’m being useful, everyone there is very caring, and I feel a part of something”
Further information
For more information or to participate, please complete the volunteer sign up form below or contact us at:
Phone: (03) 928 1330
Email: rachel.nolan@nzbri.org or sophie.grenfell@nzbri.org
This study has been approved by the Northern B Health and Disability Ethics Committee, reference number: 2022 EXP 13106