Theta Burst Deep Brain Stimulation for Cognitive and Motor Benefits in Parkinson’s-Related Dementia

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project explores a theta-burst stimulation pattern applied to the subthalamic nucleus to see if it can enhance cognitive functions such as planning, attention, and memory while also improving motor symptoms in people with PD-related dementia. Researchers will compare theta-burst DBS with standard high-frequency DBS to understand differences in cognitive and motor outcomes. The approach uses existing DBS surgery but with a different stimulation pattern to potentially benefit daily functioning and quality of life for participants. If successful, results could guide personalized DBS settings for patients with PD and Lewy body dementia.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Southern California
  Los Angeles, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Lee, Darrin Jason — University of Southern California
• Study coordinator: Lee, Darrin Jason

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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• TinyML-powered closed-loop DBS for Parkinson's disease

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• Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease

  A safety-focused study tests a new brain-stimulation device that could tailor therapy for people with Parkinson’s by adapting stimulation based on brain signals and sleep stages.

  NIH research University of Florida · Gainesville, United States · NIH-11424885

• Spatiotemporal Tuning of Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease

  Aims to personalize deep brain stimulation by adjusting where and when the brain is stimulated to better control Parkinson’s symptoms.

  NIH research University of Minnesota · Minneapolis, United States · NIH-11362362

• Understanding sleep problems in Parkinson’s disease using at-home brain recordings and adaptive stimulation

  Scientists are testing how brain signals during sleep relate to sleep problems in Parkinson’s and whether a special DBS device at home can improve sleep by adapting stimulation.

  NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11330586

• Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation to Help with Visuo-Vestibular Conflicts in Parkinson's

  A study to improve how people with Parkinson's use visual and balance cues when moving, by optimizing deep brain stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus to help navigation and balance.

  NIH research Cleveland VA Medical Research/ed/fdn · Cleveland, United States · NIH-11304149

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.