Clinical Research Directory

Perception of Action Opportunities for Obstacle Crossing in Parkinson's Disease

The study examines how individuals with Parkinson's disease, compared to healthy older adults, evaluate their ability to cross an obstacle, and the association between this evaluation, motor and cognitive status, and self-awareness. A total of 120 participants aged 65-85 years will be recruited: 60 with Parkinson's disease and 60 healthy adults. Following a telephone screening, eligible participants will be invited to a single session lasting 1.5 to 2 hours at the University of Haifa, a Maccabi Healthcare Services institute, or the participant's home. During the session, following an explanation and the signing of an informed consent form, demographic and clinical data will be collected, anthropometric measurements will be taken, and questionnaires addressing walking confidence and emotional state will be completed. Furthermore, mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go test, motor symptom severity will be assessed using the UPDRS-III (for individuals with Parkinson's disease only), and cognitive function will be evaluated via a computerized test. Finally, participants will perform the research task. In this task, while standing in front of the obstacle, they will be asked to estimate the maximum obstacle height they believe they can safely cross. Following this, they will be asked to actually cross it. Based on these data, the gap between perceived and actual ability will be calculated. The task will be performed under two conditions: without a backpack and with a weighted backpack (carrying approximately 10% of the participant's body weight). The performance of the research task will be video-recorded for the analysis of crossing data.

Safety and Tolerability Trial of Psilocybin in Healthy Older Adults

This study plans to learn more about the safety and tolerability of psychedelic administration (psilocybin) in healthy older adults ages 65-85.