Slow frontal brain waves linked to thinking and attention in Parkinson's disease
Frontal midline delta/theta rhythms and cognitive control in PD
This project looks at slow frontal brain waves using scans and EEG to understand thinking and attention problems in people with Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290767 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You or other people with Parkinson's disease would have brain recordings (EEG and magnetoencephalography) and MRI scans to measure slow frontal midline delta/theta rhythms tied to attention and working memory. Researchers will follow people over time with repeated EEG and will study the anterior midcingulate cortex as a likely source of these rhythms. For people with implanted deep brain stimulators, the team will test adaptive subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation that responds to these rhythms. Combining imaging, recordings, and adjustable DBS aims to find signals that predict cognitive decline and point to new treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with Parkinson's disease who have problems with attention, memory, or reasoning, including those with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and some participants may have or be eligible for DBS implants.
Not a fit: People without Parkinson's disease, or those unable or unwilling to undergo brain scans, EEG, or DBS procedures, are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify brain signals that predict cognitive decline and guide new treatments, including smarter DBS to help thinking and attention in Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies, including the team's earlier work, have linked low-frequency frontal rhythms to cognitive control in PD, but combining longitudinal recordings with adaptive STN DBS is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Narayanan, Nandakumar — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Narayanan, Nandakumar
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.