Understanding how a brain region affects speech and movement in Parkinson's patients during surgery

Role of Subthalamic nucleus in Speech and Movement among people with Parkinson’s as Revealed by Intraoperative Recordings and Deep Brain Stimulation

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · NIH-10873241

This study is looking at how a specific part of the brain affects speech and movement in people with Parkinson's disease during surgery to help improve their symptoms, and it involves both patients getting treatment and others who aren't having surgery to better understand these changes.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF IOWA (nih funded)
Locations1 site (IOWA CITY, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10873241 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of the subthalamic nucleus in speech and movement for individuals with Parkinson's disease, particularly during deep brain stimulation surgery. By analyzing intraoperative recordings from patients undergoing this procedure, the study aims to uncover how this brain region influences speech outcomes, which can often worsen after surgery. The research involves 80 patients receiving bilateral deep brain stimulation and 40 non-surgical control subjects, providing a comprehensive comparison to enhance understanding of speech motor functions in Parkinson's disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who are considering or are candidates for deep brain stimulation surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with Parkinson's disease who are not candidates for deep brain stimulation or those with other neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies that enhance speech outcomes for Parkinson's patients undergoing deep brain stimulation.

How similar studies have performed: While deep brain stimulation has shown success in improving motor symptoms in Parkinson's patients, the specific investigation of the subthalamic nucleus's role in speech outcomes is relatively novel and underexplored.

Where this research is happening

IOWA CITY, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.