How Parkinson's and deep brain stimulation change brain circuits that control sleep and wakefulness
The effects of parkinsonism and deep brain stimulation on basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuitry during sleep-wake behavior
This project looks at how Parkinson's disease and different deep brain stimulation targets change the brain circuits that control sleep for people with PD who struggle with sleep problems.
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-11322070 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective, researchers are mapping how brain activity in the basal ganglia, thalamus, cortex, and the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) changes as parkinsonism becomes more severe. They use animal models of Parkinson's and electrical stimulation to compare how stimulating different deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets — the subthalamic nucleus (STN), globus pallidus internus (GPi), and globus pallidus externus (GPe) — alters sleep-related brain activity and behavior. The team will trace which nerve fibers and pathways are activated by each DBS site and measure coupling and connectivity across the BGTC-PPN network. These detailed circuit maps are intended to point to DBS settings or new targets that could improve sleep quality in people with Parkinson's disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Parkinson's disease who have significant sleep-wake disturbances and people being considered for or already treated with deep brain stimulation are the most likely to benefit from this work.
Not a fit: People without Parkinson's disease or whose sleep problems have non-PD causes are unlikely to benefit directly from the findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to DBS targets or settings that improve sleep and daytime function in people with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows DBS can change sleep in Parkinson's, but this project is novel in mapping circuit-level changes across DBS targets and the PPN.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Luke Aaron — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Luke Aaron
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.