VisMemoPD Protocol: an Observational Pilot Study on Spatial and Topographical Memory in Patients With Parkinson's Disease and Parkinsonism

NCT07827963 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: VISMEMO-PD
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 3

Brief Summary

VISMEMO-PD is an observational pilot study aimed at investigating visuospatial memory in reaching space and topographical memory in navigational space in patients with Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism. The protocol is based on the hypothesis that topographical memory may deteriorate before visuospatial memory, suggesting that navigational memory impairment could represent an early indicator of disease progression. The study will include 80 participants stratified into four groups: patients with mild Parkinson's disease, patients with moderate-advanced Parkinson's disease, patients with Parkinsonism, and healthy participants. Visuospatial memory will be assessed using the Corsi Block-tapping Test, while topographical memory will be assessed using the Walking Corsi Test. Walking motor patterns will be recorded using wearable inertial sensors from the MOVIT system, and visual exploration strategies will be assessed using a wearable Pupil Labs eye-tracking system. The integration of cognitive, motor, and eye-tracking measures may support the identification of early neuropsychological markers and the development of tailored neurorehabilitation pathways for individuals with Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism.

Conditions

Parkinsonism; Parkinson's Disease; Multiple System Atrophy; Progressive Supranuclear Palsy; Mild Cognitive Impairment

Keywords

Parkinson's disease; Parkinsonism; visuospatial memory; topographical memory; Corsi Block-tapping Test; eye-tracking; wearable inertial sensors; MOVIT system; navigational memory; reaching space; extrapersonal space; cognitive decline

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Comparison between topographical memory in navigational space and visuospatial memory in reaching space

  Assessment and comparison of topographical memory performance in navigational space and visuospatial memory performance in reaching space. Topographical memory will be evaluated using the Walking Corsi Test, while visuospatial memory will be evaluated using the Corsi Block-tapping Test. The outcome will be used to identify navigational memory deficits and to investigate whether impairment in navigational space may anticipate impairment in reaching-space visuospatial memory.

  Baseline, 12 months, and 24 months

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Integrated assessment of topographical memory, gait patterns, and visual exploration strategies

  Baseline, 12 months, and 24 months

Study Arms (4)

Patients with mild Parkinson's disease

Patients with mild Parkinson's disease

Other: Multimodal visuospatial and topographical memory assessment

Patients with moderate-advanced Parkinson's disease

Patients with moderate-advanced Parkinson's disease

Other: Multimodal visuospatial and topographical memory assessment

Patients with Parkinsonism

Patients with Parkinsonism

Other: Multimodal visuospatial and topographical memory assessment

Healthy participants

Healthy participants

Other: Multimodal visuospatial and topographical memory assessment

Interventions

Multimodal visuospatial and topographical memory assessment OTHER

Participants will undergo visuospatial memory assessment using the Corsi Block-Tapping Test and topographical memory assessment using the Walking Corsi Test. Gait parameters will be recorded using wearable inertial sensors, while visual exploration strategies will be assessed using a wearable eye-tracking system. Assessments will be performed at baseline and repeated at 12 and 24 months.

Healthy participants; Patients with Parkinsonism; Patients with mild Parkinson's disease; Patients with moderate-advanced Parkinson's disease

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 35 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with Parkinson's disease, Parkinsonism, and healthy participants

You may qualify if:

• Male and female subjects aged between 35 and 80 years;
• Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease according to the United Kingdom (UK) Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank criteria;
• Diagnosis of primary atypical parkinsonism MSA-P, according to the Second Consensus Statement on the Diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy;
• Diagnosis of primary atypical parkinsonism PSP-P, according to the Movement Disorder Society criteria for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy;
• Modified Hoehn and Yahr stage between 1 and 3 during the "ON" phase (Hoehn and Yahr, 1967);
• Cognitive screening with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score \> 17;
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 24 (Folstein et al., 1975);
• Ability to walk independently for 10 meters without assistive devices;
• Ability to understand and sign the informed consent form;
• Ability to comply with study procedures.

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of neurological disorders other than Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson's disease;
• Depressive disorders or Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score \> 20;
• Musculoskeletal disorders that could impair gait performance.
• The study will enroll 20 healthy subjects, matched by age and sex with patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonism who will be recruited into the study.
• Diagnosis of neurological disorders;
• Depressive disorders or Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score \> 20;
• Musculoskeletal disorders that could impair gait performance.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• IRCCS San Raffaele Roma: lead

Study Sites (3)

IRCCS San Raffaele Cassino - CTC Via G. di Biasio, 1

Cassino, Frosinone, 03043, Italy

Location

University of Roma La Sapienza Department of Psychology University of Rome 00185, Rome

Roma, Roma, 00185, Italy

Location

University of Roma La Sapienza Department of Psychology University of Rome

Roma, Roma, 00185, Italy

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease; Parkinsonian Disorders; Multiple System Atrophy; Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive; Cognitive Dysfunction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Primary Dysautonomias; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Ophthalmoplegia; Ocular Motility Disorders; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Tauopathies; Paralysis; Neurologic Manifestations; Eye Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Maria Francesca De Pandis, MD. PhD, Neurologist

CONTACT

00390776394740; maria.depandis@sanraffaele.it

Maria Gaglione

CONTACT

maria.gaglione@sanraffaele.it

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 14, 2026
• First Posted: September 18, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2028
• Last Updated: September 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Locations

IT (3)