Automated programming for personalized deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
Official title: Automated programming for personalized deep brain stimulation in Parkinsons disease
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11450554 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to create an AI-powered system that automatically tunes the brain stimulation settings for people with Parkinson’s disease to improve benefits and reduce side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $635,512 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146703-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450554 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Parkinson’s disease who are candidates for or currently receiving DBS therapy at participating clinical centers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have DBS therapy or who do not meet the safety criteria for DBS may not benefit from this specific platform.
What this research studies
This project will develop a closed-loop, automated DBS programming platform using machine learning to select stimulation parameters based on brain signals. It uses DBS-local evoked potentials and motor-evoked potentials to guide parameter choices and minimize muscle contractions. The approach leverages meta-active learning to personalize settings for each patient and should expand access to optimized DBS care. Results will come from analyses of electrophysiologic biomarkers collected from PD patients treated with DBS at Emory University. The work emphasizes safety, effectiveness, and real-world applicability for clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with Parkinson’s disease could receive faster, more precise DBS tuning with better symptom control and fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Prior DBS studies have linked electrophysiologic biomarkers to stimulation effects, and automated tuning approaches have shown promise in smaller scales; this project aims to advance to a robust, automated solution.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miocinovic, Svjetlana — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Miocinovic, Svjetlana
Related research
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Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease
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Theta Burst Deep Brain Stimulation for Cognitive and Motor Benefits in Parkinson’s-Related Dementia
A study from USC will test a new brain stimulation approach to help people with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia improve thinking skills and movement.
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Spatiotemporal Tuning of Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease
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Understanding sleep problems in Parkinson’s disease using at-home brain recordings and adaptive stimulation
Scientists are testing how brain signals during sleep relate to sleep problems in Parkinson’s and whether a special DBS device at home can improve sleep by adapting stimulation.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.