Targeted pallidal DBS to help Parkinson's walking and balance problems
Mechanisms and effects of pallidal deep brain stimulation on levodopa resistant motor signs in Parkinson's disease
This project uses focused electrical stimulation in a specific part of the globus pallidus to help people with Parkinson's whose walking, balance, or freezing do not improve with levodopa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11162405 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll hear about using newer DBS leads that can steer electrical current to a small region near the border of two parts of the globus pallidus that may control walking and posture. The team will target that area and try different stimulation patterns while tracking changes in freezing, gait, and slowness. They will combine brain recordings and imaging with careful programming to map which pathways produce improvement. The goal is to find stimulation approaches that reduce levodopa-resistant gait and balance problems for people like you.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Parkinson's disease who have persistent gait disturbance, freezing of gait, or postural instability despite levodopa and who are candidates for DBS at the enrolling center.
Not a fit: People whose symptoms respond well to levodopa, whose walking problems are caused by non-Parkinson conditions, or who are not eligible for DBS are unlikely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to DBS settings or targets that better relieve balance, walking, and freezing problems in advanced Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior reports and preliminary data suggest stimulation near the GPi-GPe border can improve akinesia and bradykinesia, but consistent benefit for levodopa-resistant gait problems and the underlying mechanisms remain under study.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackinnon, Colum D — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Mackinnon, Colum D
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.