Researchers at the Queen’s Eye Movement Laboratory in Kingston, Ontario are looking for adults between the ages of 50-85 years old to study the impact of Parkinson’s on cognitive control. The ability to anticipate events and execute motor commands accordingly is an essential ability for regular everyday functioning. However, progressive loss of such motor control and behavior is a fundamental pathological feature of Parkinson’s. To investigate the neural basis of deficits in motor control in Parkinson’s, we will use a non-invasive technique to measure eye movements (described in more detail below) and identify cognitive and attentional deficits in Parkinson’s.
We will be recruiting individuals who are living with Parkinson’s as well as a group of age-matched healthy control subjects. Study participants will be asked to complete simple questionnaires and perform two eye-tracking tasks, which together will last approximately 60-90 minutes. Participants will receive $20/hr dispersed through each session and appointment. All study visits will take place in Kingston, Ontario at Kingston General Hospital or Hôtel Dieu Hospital.
During each session, following a short clinical exam, participants will be seated in front of a computer screen with their head position stabilized by a chin rest. Visual stimuli will be presented on the computer screen and a video camera located under the screen will record eye movements. The first task, the Predictive-Saccade task, will require participants to look at a red target that jumps back and forth on the screen. In the second task, the Free-Viewing video task, the participant will freely watch a variety of short video clips that play on the screen. These video clips consist of natural scenes, human actors, and cartoons. All patient information collected during these visits will remain confidential through the use of deidentified data.
If you are interested in participating or have questions about the requirements for participation, please email the study team:
Miranda Branyiczky or Blake Noyes
eyetracking@queensu.ca
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Queen’s Eye Movement Laboratory
Queen’s University
Kingston, ON
Contact information
Name: Miranda Branyiczky or Blake Noyes
Email: eyetracking@queensu.ca
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