Improving deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease using advanced imaging techniques
Official title: An Application of Advanced Imaging and Visualization to Clinical Deep Brain Stimulation
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11264350 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to make deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease even better by using new imaging technology to help doctors find the right spot in the brain during surgery, which could lead to improved results for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $388,776 |
| NIH project number | 4R37NS116079-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11264350 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who are considering or are candidates for deep brain stimulation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Parkinson's disease or those who are not candidates for deep brain stimulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease by utilizing advanced imaging and visualization technologies. It aims to improve the surgical targeting of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) through innovative MRI techniques and patient-specific modeling. By employing Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF), the project seeks to create detailed 3D maps of brain structures, which will help in accurately identifying the STN during surgery. This approach could lead to better outcomes for patients undergoing DBS by optimizing the precision of the procedure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve motor symptoms and quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease receiving deep brain stimulation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using advanced imaging techniques in similar contexts, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcintyre, Cameron — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Mcintyre, Cameron
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cerebellar Deep Brain Stimulation for Spinocerebellar Ataxias
A preliminary clinical trial will test delivering electrical stimulation to the cerebellum in people with spinocerebellar ataxia to see if it improves balance and coordination.
-
Improving deep brain stimulation with MRI and AI
We use brain scans and artificial intelligence to speed up and personalize deep brain stimulation settings for people getting DBS.
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Adaptive deep brain stimulation to help Parkinson's patients respond to daily changes
A new, smarter brain stimulation approach for Parkinson’s disease aims to automatically adjust therapy throughout the day to better control symptoms.
-
Automated programming for personalized deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
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.
-
Ventral pallidum brain stimulation for epilepsy
A brain stimulation therapy in people with epilepsy whose seizures aren’t controlled by medicines or surgery is being studied to see if it can help achieve seizure freedom.
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TinyML-powered closed-loop DBS for Parkinson's disease
A small, energy-efficient brain-stimulation system using lightweight AI runs on an implanted device to adapt DBS in real time for people with Parkinson's disease.
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.