University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · NeuroscienceThe Fall Prevention Lab
Vikas Kotagal · Ann Arbor, Michigan
Research Focus
Dr. Vikas Kotagal's lab focuses on understanding and reducing the risk of falls in individuals with Parkinson's disease, particularly those experiencing cognitive impairments. They are investigating the effects of a drug called varenicline, which may enhance attention and improve walking performance, potentially leading to fewer falls. The lab combines clinical research with advanced imaging techniques to explore how brain function is linked to movement problems in Parkinson's patients.
Parkinson's diseasefalls preventioncognitioncholinergic receptorsvareniclinedual-task performanceclinical trialsPET imagingmotor functionattention
Research Aims
5AIM 01Evaluate the effectiveness of varenicline in reducing fall risk among patients with Parkinson's disease
AIM 02Investigate the relationship between cholinergic deficits and cognitive function in Parkinson's patients
AIM 03Identify potential endpoints for fall prevention interventions in clinical trials
AIM 04Assess the impact of varenicline on dual-task walking performance
AIM 05Lay groundwork for future large-scale trials targeting fall risk in Parkinson's disease.
Skills the Lab Values
clinical trial designpatient recruitmentrandomized controlled trialspositron emission tomography (PET)data analysiscognitive assessmentsgait analysisexperimental modelsdouble-blind study techniquesstatistical analysis
Output against the department
Publications90bottom 29% of dept.474th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.1kbottom 23% of dept.514th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.