Understanding sleep problems in Parkinson's disease using brain recordings and stimulation
Official title: Determining the circuits and signals of sleep dysfunction in Parkinson's disease through chronic intracranial recordings and closed-loop Deep Brain Stimulation
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11065427 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sleep problems affect people with Parkinson's disease by checking the brain's activity while they sleep, and it hopes to find ways to help improve their sleep and health by using new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $652,504 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS131405-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11065427 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who experience sleep disturbances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Parkinson's disease or those who do not experience sleep dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how sleep dysfunction affects individuals with Parkinson's disease by examining the brain's signals and circuits during sleep. Using advanced techniques like chronic intracranial recordings and closed-loop Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), the study aims to identify the specific brain structures that disrupt normal sleep patterns. By understanding these disruptions, the research seeks to develop targeted therapies that could improve sleep quality and overall health for patients. Participants will be monitored in their own homes, allowing for a more natural observation of their sleep patterns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using neuromodulation techniques for treating sleep disorders, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Little, Simon — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Little, Simon
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Adaptive deep brain stimulation to help Parkinson's patients respond to daily changes
A new, smarter brain stimulation approach for Parkinson’s disease aims to automatically adjust therapy throughout the day to better control symptoms.
-
TinyML-powered closed-loop DBS for Parkinson's disease
A small, energy-efficient brain-stimulation system using lightweight AI runs on an implanted device to adapt DBS in real time for people with 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.
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Theta Burst Deep Brain Stimulation for Cognitive and Motor Benefits in Parkinson’s-Related Dementia
A study from USC will test a new brain stimulation approach to help people with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia improve thinking skills and movement.
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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.
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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.
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.