Understanding how brain stimulation affects walking in Parkinson's patients
Official title: Imaging Biomarkers of Freezing of Gait Response to Deep Brain Stimulation
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-10801555 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how deep brain stimulation can help people with advanced Parkinson's disease who experience freezing of gait, and it aims to understand how the brain's connections affect the treatment's success.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $599,949 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS131396-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10801555 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with advanced Parkinson's disease who are selected to undergo deep brain stimulation surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease or those not eligible for deep brain stimulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on freezing of gait (FOG) in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. Using advanced diffusion MRI techniques, the study aims to explore the brain's structural connections and how they relate to the effectiveness of DBS. By comparing responses between patients who benefit from the treatment and those who do not, the research seeks to identify factors that could enhance the effectiveness of DBS over time. Patients selected for DBS surgery will undergo imaging and behavioral assessments to gather comprehensive data.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for freezing of gait in Parkinson's patients, enhancing their mobility and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using neuroimaging to understand brain responses to deep brain stimulation, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Revuelta, Gonzalo Javier — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Revuelta, Gonzalo Javier
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Imaging clues to how deep brain stimulation helps freezing of gait in Parkinson’s
This study uses brain imaging to understand why deep brain stimulation helps or doesn’t help freezing of gait in people with Parkinson’s disease.
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Brain imaging to predict who will benefit from deep brain stimulation for freezing of gait
Researchers will use advanced brain scans to find patterns that show which people with Parkinson's disease and freezing of gait are likely to improve after subthalamic deep brain stimulation.
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Using advanced brain stimulation to improve walking in patients with freezing of gait
This study is testing a new way to help people with Parkinson's and similar conditions who experience freezing of gait, using a smart device that adjusts itself to help them move better and avoid falls.
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Personalized closed-loop treatment for freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease
A new implantable brain device trial aims to reduce freezing of gait in people with Parkinson’s by using on-device brain signals to guide stimulation in real time.
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Understanding movement transitions in Parkinson's disease and how cues help freezing of gait
A study with people who have Parkinson's disease will explore why freezing of gait happens during movement changes and how external cues might help keep steps going.
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Feasibility of an AI-Driven Gait Freeze Detector to Trigger Pauses and Cues in Parkinson’s
A small study tests an AI system that detects when a person with Parkinson’s is about to freeze and gives a cue only at that moment to help them keep walking.
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.