---
title: Detect early Parkinson brain changes
nct_id: NCT04101968
status: RECRUITING
sponsor: "Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre"
study_type: OBSERVATIONAL
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT04101968"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04101968"
last_fetched: "2026-05-10T14:04:32.916Z"
source: "Parkinson's Pathways (curated)"
---
# Detect early Parkinson brain changes

**Goal (in five words):** Detect early Parkinson brain changes

**Official Title:** Multimodal Molecular Imaging and Biometric Analysis in GBA-PD and Asymptomatic GBA-mutation Carriers

**Trial ID:** [NCT04101968](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04101968)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Study Type:** OBSERVATIONAL
- **Sponsor:** Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre
- **Target Enrollment:** 25 participants
- **Start Date:** 2019-05-01
- **Completion Date:** 2025-12-30
- **Conditions:** Parkinson Disease, GBA Gene Mutation, Gaucher Disease
- **Interventions:** PET scan, neuroQWERTY
- **Intervention Types:** DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

## Summary For Families

Goal: to spot molecular and digital markers that distinguish people with Parkinson's who carry a GBA gene mutation from carriers who have no symptoms, to better understand early or GBA-specific brain changes. Approach: participants have PET scans to image molecular brain changes, for example dopamine system integrity or metabolic and inflammatory signals, and use neuroQWERTY, a keystroke and smartphone-based biometric tool that analyzes typing and movement patterns for subtle motor and cognitive signs; some PD participants may need brief medication withdrawal for the imaging, while the digital measures work without changing medications. Eligibility: adults 18 to 80 who are heterozygous for a pathogenic GBA mutation or polymorphism can join, while people with other neurological disorders, MRI-unsafe implants, severe claustrophobia, inability to tolerate stopping antiparkinsonian meds, or current cholinergic drug treatment are excluded.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Maximum age:** 80 Years
- **Sex:** ALL

### Full Criteria

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* heterozygous for a pathogenic GBA mutation (e.g., p.L444P, p.N370S) or polymorphism;
* age 18 to 80 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

* co-occurrence of other neurological disorders;
* implants that contraindicate the MRI scanning (e.g. cardiac pacemaker, ferromagnetic implants or devices);
* severe claustrophobia;
* intolerance to antiparkinsonian drug withdrawal (for GBA-PD subjects);
* ongoing treatment with cholinergic drugs
```

## Locations (3)

- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States _(45.5234, -122.6762)_
  - Matthew Brodsky, MD — (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States _(47.6062, -122.3321)_
  - Cyrus P Zabetian, MD, MS — (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
- Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre | University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada _(49.2497, -123.1193)_
  - Jess McKenzie — (CONTACT) — +1-604-822-7764 — jess.mckenzie@ubc.ca
  - A Jon Stoessl, MD — (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

## Central Contacts

- Jessamyn McKenzie — (CONTACT) — 6048227764 — jess.mckenzie@ubc.ca

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT04101968*  
*HTML version: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT04101968*  
*Source data: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04101968*