Healthy volunteers sought for an investigation of the pain response in Parkinson’s disease
1 July 2016
A University of Manchester study is working with neurologist Dr Monty Silverdale, the UK specialist in pain in Parkinson’s disease.
Dr Silverdale and his PhD student Sarah Martin will be leading a study funded by Parkinson’s UK to investigate why Parkinson’s patients experience a higher rate of chronic pain compared to the general population. The belief is that the damage of the brain caused by Parkinson’s disease leads to a sensitisation of pain and a heightened perception of the pain intensity.
The study will be using (electroencephalography) EEG to record the brain activity in response to brief painful stimuli. The researchers want to see whether the Parkinson’s volunteers anticipate and experience pain differently to healthy volunteers of a similar age.
The inclusion criteria for the healthy volunteers are as follows:
- Aged between 55 and 85
- Do not suffer from chronic pain
- Do not suffer from a neurological condition
- Do not suffer from diabetes
The study will be taking place at Salford Royal and would include a visit lasting half a day. The study will be running from June to December 2016. Reimbursement will be provided for travel costs, and time and inconvenience involved. The study has been approved by University of Manchester Research Ethics Committee.
For more information about the investigation into pain in Parkinson’s disease, please see the links below:
If you would like to take part in the study please contact Sarah Martin:
- Email: sarah.martin-10@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
- Phone: 0161 2064529