Neural Control of Breathing in Parkinson's Disease: an Exploratory Study
Breathing is a complex process, which can be controlled through voluntary command or neural control. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder. Many individuals with PD experience respiratory problems, such as coughing difficulties or shortness of breath. Changes in neural control of breathing could be part of the reason of these respiratory problems. This study will measure whether neural control of breathing is impaired in individuals with PD compared to healthy individuals.
• Healthy subjects: competent adult (\>18 years) volunteers
• Patients: adult (\<18 years) patients with Parkinson's disease, clinically confirmed by a movement disorder specialised neurologist with Hoehn and Yahr staging 1 to 3
• Willingness and ability to understand nature and content of the study
• Ability to participate and comply with study requirements