ClinicalTrials.gov record NCT07827963

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

Record copied from ClinicalTrials.gov: Oct 10, 2026AI summaries generated: Sep 28, 2026

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

StatusNot yet recruitingThe study has been registered but has not started enrolling. Sites and contacts may not be listed yet.
Study typeObservationalA study in which researchers do not assign participants to a treatment or other intervention. They observe or measure what happens, which may include study visits, tests, questionnaires or a review of medical records.
Healthy volunteersAcceptedPeople who do not have the condition being studied who are allowed to take part. Some studies include both people with the condition and healthy volunteers; others may enrol only healthy volunteers.
Age35 years old to 80 years old
SexAll
LocationItaly
AI summaryWhat this study is about, in plain languageShow ▾Hide ▴

AI-written from the registry record, not the study's own wording. May contain errors or omissions. Check the registry text on this page and the original record ↗ before acting on it.

This observational pilot study compares navigational (topographical) memory and reaching-space visuospatial memory across four groups: people with mild Parkinson's disease, moderate-advanced Parkinson's disease, Parkinsonism (including MSA and PSP), and healthy participants. Assessments use the Corsi Block-tapping Test and the Walking Corsi Test while recording gait with MOVIT inertial sensors and visual exploration with a Pupil Labs eye-tracker. Measurements are taken at baseline and repeated at 12 and 24 months to track changes over time.

What it is studying. The study tests the hypothesis that topographical (navigational) memory may become impaired before visuospatial (reaching) memory in Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism, and examines how topographical memory relates to walking patterns and visual exploration strategies.

What the researchers hope to learn. To identify early neuropsychological markers of disease progression, clarify temporal patterns of spatial-memory decline, and combine cognitive, gait, and eye-tracking data to support development of predictive models and multidimensional biomarkers.

What this study is about

The study's own summary, as published on ClinicalTrials.gov. Underlined terms have a short explanation.

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.

Interventions being studied

Being studied in this trial does not mean the treatment or procedure is approved or available for this condition.

Other
  • Multimodal visuospatial and topographical memory assessment

Eligibility

The criteria exactly as listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. Only the study team can say whether they apply to you.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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.

Exclusion criteria

  • 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.
  • The same inclusion criteria will be applied to both groups of patients with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson's disease.
  • The exclusion criteria will be:
  • Diagnosis of neurological disorders;
  • Depressive disorders or Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score > 20;
  • Musculoskeletal disorders that could impair gait performance.

Study description and what participation involves

The study's detailed description, as published on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Show the detailed description from the registry

Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative condition characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms. Among non-motor manifestations, cognitive decline is common and heterogeneous and may occur already in the early stages of the disease. VISMEMO-PD was developed as part of a broader research framework aimed at identifying neuropsychological markers capable of predicting disease progression and the risk of conversion to Parkinson's disease dementia through targeted clinical protocols. The present study focuses on the assessment of visuospatial memory in reaching space and topographical memory in navigational space. The theoretical rationale underlying the protocol is based on the hypothesis that the execution of sequences in navigational space may be impaired before the execution of sequences in reaching space. This would suggest that topographical memory impairment may represent an early marker of disease progression. The study will compare performance across four groups: patients with mild Parkinson's disease, patients with moderate-advanced Parkinson's disease, patients with Parkinsonism, and healthy participants. The Corsi Block-tapping Test will be used to assess visuospatial memory in reaching space. The Walking Corsi Test, a walking adaptation of the Corsi Block-tapping Test, will be used to assess navigational memory in extrapersonal space. During the Walking Corsi Test, participants will reproduce spatial sequences by actively moving through the testing environment. The protocol will also investigate the association between topographical memory deficits and walking motor patterns. Gait-related parameters will be recorded using wearable inertial sensors from the MOVIT system, consisting of a triaxial accelerometer, a magnetic sensor, and a triaxial gyroscope. These measures will allow the objective recording of movement-related parameters during task execution. In addition, visual exploration strategies during visuospatial and topographical memory tasks will be assessed using a wearable Pupil Labs eye-tracking system. Eye-tracking data will be used to quantify gaze behavior, including fixation-related parameters, saccadic exploration, gaze transitions between relevant spatial targets, and visual scanning patterns. The integration of eye-tracking measures with cognitive performance and gait-related parameters is expected to provide a more comprehensive description of the visuocognitive and visuomotor mechanisms involved in spatial and topographical memory impairment in Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism. The study will include baseline assessment and follow-up evaluations at 12 and 24 months. Repeated assessments will allow the investigation of temporal trajectories of cognitive decline and may contribute to the development of predictive models capable of identifying patients at greater risk of conversion to dementia. The integration of longitudinal cognitive, motor, and visual exploration data may ultimately contribute to the definition of multidimensional biomarkers of disease progression.

AI summaryWhat participation may involve, in plain languageShow ▾Hide ▴

AI-written from the registry record, not the study's own wording. May contain errors or omissions. Check the registry text on this page and the original record ↗ before acting on it.

Participants attend a baseline assessment and repeat visits at 12 and 24 months. At each visit they will do visuospatial testing (Corsi Block‑tapping Test) and navigational testing (Walking Corsi Test), which involves reproducing spatial sequences by actively moving through the testing area. While performing the tests they will wear MOVIT inertial sensors to record gait/walking parameters and a wearable Pupil Labs eye‑tracking system to record gaze and visual exploration. The registry does not list any invasive procedures as part of participation.

How the study is structured. This is a prospective, observational case-control study with four groups (mild PD, moderate-advanced PD, Parkinsonism, and healthy participants). Participants complete the Corsi Block-tapping Test and Walking Corsi Test while wearing MOVIT inertial sensors to record gait and a Pupil Labs eye-tracker to record gaze. Assessments occur at baseline and are repeated at 12 and 24 months to compare performance and track changes over time.

Questions you could ask

These questions are suggestions for a conversation with the study team or your own clinician, not advice.

  • This is an observational study, so the study itself gives no treatment. What would taking part involve for me, and would it change my usual care?
  • The registry says recruitment has not started. When is it expected to open, and can I register interest now?
  • The listed sites are in Italy. Is any of them reachable for me, and does the study help with travel?
  • Which of the eligibility criteria would need to be checked with tests before I could join?

More on multiple system atrophy

This trial is also listed on this site under progressive supranuclear palsy.

Clinical trials76 trials listed for multiple system atrophyEvery trial the registry lists for multiple system atrophy, with recruitment status, phase and sites, updated from ClinicalTrials.gov.See all trials →Research updatesWhat changed in multiple system atrophy researchLatest monthly update: September 2026. Includes: Tube feeding. New research summarized each month in plain language, with links to every source paper.Read the latest update →

Important dates

Study start
September 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
October 2028 (estimated)
Study completion
October 2028 (estimated)
Target enrollment
80 participants (estimated)
Last updated on registry
Sep 18, 2026
Data verified
Oct 10, 2026

Sponsor and research team

The lead sponsor funds and oversees the trial. A pharmaceutical or biotech company sponsor typically means the study is testing that company's drug or device; a hospital, university, or government agency usually indicates investigator-initiated or publicly funded research.

Lead sponsor
IRCCS San Raffaele Roma

Central study contact

If you're interested in participating, the central contact can answer general questions about the study — including eligibility requirements and how to find a recruiting site near you. Actual eligibility is determined by the site's medical team.

Participating sites (3)

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

    Cassino, Frosinone, 03043 · Italy

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

    Roma, Roma, 00185 · Italy

  • University of Roma La Sapienza Department of Psychology University of Rome

    Roma, Roma, 00185 · Italy

Terms used on this page · explanations by MedicalUpdates.ai

stratified
Randomisation done separately within subgroups, such as age bands or disease severity, so that each group contains a similar mix.
informed consent form
The process of explaining a study, including its risks and what participation involves, so that a person can decide freely whether to take part. Consent is usually documented in writing, and a participant can choose to leave the study later.
inclusion criteria
The conditions a person must meet to be considered for the study, for example a confirmed diagnosis, an age range or a test result.
exclusion criteria
The conditions that rule a person out even if they meet the inclusion criteria, for example other illnesses, certain medicines or pregnancy.
baseline
Measurements taken at the start of the study, before any study treatment, so that later results can be compared with them.
follow-up
The period after treatment or enrolment during which participants are observed or contacted, for example to record side effects or outcomes.
biomarkers
Something measurable in the body, such as a blood test result or an imaging finding, that indicates how a condition or treatment is behaving.

The study record on this page is reproduced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, where it was submitted by the study sponsor. MedicalUpdates.ai does not own this content, is not affiliated with or endorsed by ClinicalTrials.gov, NIH, or the U.S. Government, and does not verify the record. Plain-language notes, the glossary and the questions above are added by this site; text in the boxes marked "AI summary" was written by an AI model and may contain errors. Registry records change over time. Check the original record for the current version and discuss eligibility or participation with a qualified healthcare professional.

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