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Invitation To Participate In A Research Study On Movement In Parkinson's Disease The State University of NJ Rutgers Campus at Newark Center for Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience 197 University Ave., Newark, NJ 07102 201-648-1080 fx201-648-1272 Dr. Howard Poizner's laboratory is currently using an advanced 3-D movement tracking system to study how people move. One current focus of this study is on movement in Parkinson's disease--what movement skills are preserved and which impaired in patients with Parkinson's disease of different severity. This study is being conducted at the Center for Molecular and Behavior Neuroscience. This center, is a center of excellence in the study of the brain and nervous system and one of its current interests is in understanding Parkinson's disease. If you agree to participate, you will be asked to come to the center and perform a series of motor skills such as pointing to specific targets or typing a series of sentences. Typically, you will be seated and asked to point to positions in nearby space that are indicated by a robot arm. Tiny, light-weight diodes on your arm are controlled by a computer and followed by 2 video cameras which can track them accurately in brief time intervals. Afterwards, movements can be reconstructed and measured. The study does not involve any electrical shocks, drugs, or other potentially dangerous elements. If you wish to drive to the center yourself, parking space will be reserved for you near the front door. Otherwise, one of the laboratory staff will pick you up and take you home. Sessions will take one to several hours. If you come with a spouse or associate, that person may also be eligible to participate in the study. There will be a modest hourly stipend paid for the time that you are engaged in the experiment. Lunch is provided if your stay includes mealtime. If you are interested in possibly participating in the study, please fill out the attached questionaire. You can write any question or comments it. You will be contacted by Dr. Poizner; by Dr. Hening, the Neurological consultant; by Dr. Merians, the participating investigator from the Physical Therapy department; or by one of the other investigators to discuss your participation and schedule a time for a study. They will also provide further details about the studies and answer your questions. You can mail the questionnaire into the Institute if it is not directly collected. For further information please contact Dr. Poizner at 648-1500 ex.3231. You should leave a message on voice mail if he is not in the office, giving your name and phone number and the reason you tried to reach him. Poizner Laboratory Movement Studies Potential Participant Questionnaire Name Today's Date Phone Number Best time to Call Date of Birth and Current Age Town in which you live Do you have Parkinson's disease?-yes or no How long have you had Parkinson's Disease? What bothers you most about your Parkinson's disease? Do you have a tremor in your hands? Can you walk by yourself? List other neurological problems or brain surgery that you have had List any major problems with your vision Are you right handed, left handed, or ambidextrous? Have you recently been very depressed? Have you recently had major problems with hallucinations, remembering things, or keeping things straight?