The Effects of a High Intensity Exercise Training Program in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

The primary outcome measure is the change in sleep efficiency (the number of minutes asleep
divided by the number of minutes in bed), as measured by polysomnography. In addition,
because patients with Parkinson's disease have excessive sleepiness/impaired vigilance
(alertness) and impaired motor function, and because these might be expected to improve with
the exercise intervention, this study will also assess vigilance and motor outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria: PD participants

1. Subjects with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease based on the
presence of bradykinesia and one or both of the following: rest tremor and/or rigidity

2. Hoehn and Yahr stage 2 or 3

3. Stable dopaminergic medication regimen for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry
without anticipation of medication change for the duration of the study.

4. Stable doses of medications known to affect sleep and medications for Parkinson's
disease for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry without anticipation of medication
change for the duration of the study.

5. Age 45 or greater at time of study entry

6. Asymmetric onset of PD

7. Progressive motor symptoms of PD

8. Poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score >5)

9. MoCA score 18-26

10. Ability to travel to UAB 3x/week for the 16 weeks duration of the study for exercise
training sessions as well as for other study visits

11. Subjects must pass a physical examination and PAR-Q to assess exercise readiness

Inclusion Criteria: Healthy Controls

1. Age 45 or greater at time of study entry

2. Poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score >5)

3. Normal cognition

Exclusion Criteria: PD Participants

1. Atypical features indicative of a Parkinson's Plus disorder (Progressive Supranuclear
Palsy, Multiple Systems Atrophy, Corticobasal Degeneration) including cerebellar
signs, supranuclear gaze palsy, apraxia, prominent autonomic failure, or other
cortical signs.

2. Neuroleptic treatment at time of onset of Parkinsonism

3. Active treatment with a neuroleptic at time of study entry

4. History of multiple strokes with stepwise progression of Parkinsonism

5. History of multiple head injuries

6. Inability to walk without assistance, including a cane, wheelchair, or walker

7. Regular participation in an exercise program within the past 6 months

8. Deep Brain Stimulation

9. Untreated sleep apnea

10. Known narcolepsy

11. Participation in drug studies or the use of investigational drugs within 30 days prior
to screening

12. Acute illness or active, confounding medical, neurological, or musculoskeletal
conditions that, at the discretion of the PI, would prevent the subject's ability to
participate in the study

13. Known contraindication to testing

14. Active alcoholism or other drug addiction

15. Pregnancy

Exclusion criteria for PD subjects undergoing imaging studies:

1. Pacemaker or other metallic object that would make MR imaging unsafe

2. Claustrophobia that prevents participation in imaging portion

3. Any motor, cognitive, or health disorder that in the opinion of the PI would prevent
the subject from participating in the imaging portion

Exclusion criteria for healthy controls:

1. Pacemaker or other metallic object that would make MR imaging unsafe

2. Claustrophobia that prevents participation in imaging portion

3. Any motor, cognitive, or health disorder that in the opinion of the PI would prevent
the subject from participating in the imaging portion