We are sharing details of this study since it may be of interest to friends and family members.
You cannot take part if you have a diagnosis of MSA, Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies.
Problems with low blood pressure when standing (also called postural hypotension) can cause temporary dizziness, fainting or brain fog. These symptoms can have an important impact on daily life, but in some people, they may also represent the early signs of neurological conditions such as Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) or Parkinson’s.
What is the aim of this study?
This project is part of PREDICT-PD, a study with more than 12,000 participants in the UK that has been running for over 10 years to improve early diagnosis of MSA and Parkinson’s. We aim to better understand the association between low blood pressure and these neurological conditions. By studying people with symptoms of low blood pressure, we aim to identify who may be at risk of developing MSA or Parkinson’s and what specific blood pressure changes, symptoms and blood tests can be early markers of the disease. This study will help doctors detect MSA and Parkinson’s at the early stages, before the typical movement-related symptoms happen, offering opportunities for early treatments and interventions.
Who can take part?
The study is open to people 50 years or older with ANY of the following:
- symptoms of low blood pressure on standing (dizziness, fainting) that resolve after sitting down.
- Have a diagnosis of ‘orthostatic hypotension’, ‘postural hypotension’ or ‘autonomic failure’ made by a healthcare professional.
- Take regular treatment with midodrine or fludrocortisone
What does participation involve?
Researchers will make sure you are eligible to take part in the study via your preferred method of contact (email or telephone).
Then, you can complete the main part of the study remotely from your home no matter where you live. If you choose to take part, you will be invited to:
- Complete questionnaires about your health and symptoms through the PREDICT-PD study website using your computer. This will include a keyboard tapping tests on your computer to assess your movements and coordination (total duration about 1 hour).
- Take blood pressure readings at home. We will provide clear instructions on how to perform this and send you a blood pressure device if needed.
- Complete a smell test sent you in the post.
Additionally, we would be interested in seeing you in person to complete a neurological examination (memory and movement tests), a bladder scan, collect blood and a small skin sample. The in-person assessment is optional, and you can still take part in the study if you are interested only in the remote assessments. You can also consent to any procedure separately (e.g. you can consent to give blood but decline skin biopsy). The in-person visit would take place in central London and travel costs would be re-imbursed.
Why is this research important?
A better understanding of the links between low blood pressure and neurological disorders will help doctors to detect these diseases earlier, improve future care plan and manage symptoms in a timely manner. An early detection will also provide a valuable window of opportunity for early intervention, testing new drugs that may slow down the progression of the disease when they are most effective.
How to get involved
The study is currently recruiting participants across the UK. The study is run by Dr Eduardo de Pablo Fernández from Queen Mary University of London in collaboration with multiple researchers across the UK. If you are interested in taking part, even if you are not sure if you have low blood pressure symptoms, you can contact the study team directly at predictpd@qmul.ac.uk