Study Rationale: Non-pharmacological interventions can benefit human health, and anecdotal evidence suggest that people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) show fewer symptoms when traveling at high altitudes, perhaps due to decreased oxygen. In our TALISMAN study, we tested different oxygen therapy levels on people with PD in both a carefully controlled lab-based setting and at participants’ homes. Although we found that the therapy was safe, easy to administer and induced no major side effects, we saw little change in two specific blood markers. To better understand how oxygen therapy works, we will examine more markers that reflect the biological response to the oxygen therapy.
Hypothesis: We hypothesize that oxygen therapy will improve indicators of brain health and could ultimately be used to treat the symptoms of PD.
Study Design: Blood samples obtained from 60 people with PD who participated in the previous TALISMAN study will be analyzed for additional markers, including brain health indicators, changes in specific brain proteins and inflammation levels.
Impact on Diagnosis/Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: Finding positive changes in these markers will help us to understand how oxygen therapy can act as a therapy to alleviate Parkinson-related symptoms.
Next Steps for Development: This present study will provide the first “proof of concept” evidence for hypoxia as a treatment for persons with PD. If proven effective and safe, hypoxia could present a completely novel therapy that improves PD symptoms (much like a medication) and perhaps slows the progression of disease.
Trial Phase: I+II