clinical diagnosis of early PD and age/gender matched controls

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 40-80 year old men & women
2. Patients with early PD, or controls consisting of healthy subjects, or subjects who have a non-neurodegenerative diagnosis but are otherwise healthy.
3. Gives written informed consent
4. Pregnant women are not excluded, but will be identified by HCG.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Parkinsonian symptoms not due to idiopathic (sporadic) PD, such as those that are medication induced, toxic substance induced or representative of an atypical Parkinsonian syndrome.
2. Any unstable or uncontrolled medical or psychiatric condition.
3. Renal (creatinine over 1.6) or hepatic insufficiency (LFT three-fold higher than normal range), or a history of significant cardiac disease.
4. If there is a history or evidence of coagulopathy, on medications such as Plavix, Aggrenox, heparin, coumadin, or large doses of aspirin, must be able to remain off these medications for at least 3 days, and have stable blood coagulation values prior to any lumbar puncture (LP).
5. Significant dementia (MMSE<25/30 or MOCA<25/30) that would interfere with study procedures or the giving of informed consent for the study .
6. Active infections including skin, respiratory or GI infections, and HIV+ (if undergoing an LP).
7. Any evidence of a neurodegenerative disorder, for example, Alzheimer's Disease or Huntington's Disease.
8. fMRI will not be performed is screening questionnaire identifies a reason.