This study is being conducted at the Morsani College of Medicine to determine whether signals recorded from the eyes and brain can be used as a noninvasive way to monitor dopamine function. Approximately 50 adults (25 with Parkinson's disease and 25 without Parkinson's disease) will participate. Participants will undergo electroretinography (ERG) and electroencephalography (EEG), which are FDA-approved, noninvasive devices that measure electrical activity from the retina and brain using sensors placed on the skin around the eyes and scalp. Participants with Parkinson's disease will be tested before and after taking their prescribed Parkinson's medication (e.g., SinemetĀ® [carbidopa/levodopa]). Participants without Parkinson's disease will receive a single dose of compounded levodopa/carbidopa eye drops (an FDA-approved drug used in an unapproved ophthalmic formulation) in one eye and a placebo eye drop in the other eye. The placebo consists of the same vehicle solution without levodopa/carbidopa and contains 0.1% ascorbic acid, 0.001% benzalkonium chloride, and phosphate-buffered saline. Randomization will be used to determine which eye receives the levodopa/carbidopa eye drop and which eye receives the placebo. Researchers will compare measurements obtained before and after treatment to evaluate whether blue-light visual responses are associated with dopamine activity.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
nschilaty@usf.edu
Adults (18+ years) with no underlying eye conditions that would affect blue light transmission
As the Parkinson's patients self-administer dopaminergic medication, we will use this regular event of dopamine influx as a vehicle to measure changes in dopamine transmission in the eye.
makagin@usf.edu813-974-1112
Study of Eye Movements (EYE) as Early Markers of Brain Dysfunction (BRAIN) in Parkinson's Disease (PARK)
Relationship Between Symptoms, Retinal Morphology, and the Nigrostriatal Dopamine System in Parkinson's Disease
A Prospective Study to Evaluate the Correlation Between Oculometric Measurements and Clinical Endpoints in PD Patients