Understanding how deep-brain stimulation affects stopping movement in Parkinson’s disease
Official title: Resolving the paradoxical effects of subthalamic deep-brain stimulation on inhibitory motor control
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11412473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests how stimulating a brain region used to treat Parkinson’s might change a person’s ability to stop moving quickly.
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 start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $571,267 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS117753-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412473 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Parkinson’s disease who are candidates for or already receive subthalamic DBS.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing DBS or without Parkinson’s-related motor symptoms may not benefit.
What this research studies
Parkinson’s disease can make it hard to start and stop movements. Researchers will use deep-brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus and measure how it changes inhibitory motor control with stop-signal tasks. The goal is to clarify why DBS helps symptoms and whether it alters the brain’s balance of inhibition and excitation during action control. The study combines neurophysiology with behavioral testing to link brain activity to real-time movement stopping. Findings could refine DBS approaches to improve safety and effectiveness for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how DBS influences stopping movements could lead to more precise treatments and fewer side effects for people with Parkinson’s.
How similar studies have gone: Past work shows STN activity relates to stopping actions, but findings on DBS’ impact have been mixed, making this study novel in clarifying mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wessel, Jan R — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Wessel, Jan R
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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.