How deep brain stimulation changes brain connections in Parkinson's disease
Basal Ganglia Cortical Coupling and Connectivity Changes in PD and DBS
This project looks at how Parkinson's disease and treatments like deep brain stimulation or L‑dopa change brain rhythms and connections that control movement.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261081 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers are mapping how different brain regions that control movement talk to each other in Parkinson's. They record electrical signals from multiple deep brain and cortical sites in a primate model that mimics Parkinson's symptoms. The team compares patterns when symptoms are present and after treatments such as deep brain stimulation or L‑dopa. The goal is to find the network changes that underlie symptom improvement so therapies can be improved.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Parkinson's disease, particularly those considering or already receiving deep brain stimulation, are the most directly relevant audience for these findings.
Not a fit: Individuals without Parkinson's disease or those whose main issues are non-motor (for example advanced cognitive decline) are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors refine deep brain stimulation and related therapies to better reduce movement problems in Parkinson's patients.
How similar studies have performed: Deep brain stimulation is already effective for many Parkinson's patients, and prior animal and human recordings have given useful clues, but the precise network mechanisms remain unresolved.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vitek, Jerrold L — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Vitek, Jerrold L
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 below.