Using low-frequency brain stimulation to improve thinking and movement in Parkinson's Disease

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research investigates the effects of theta burst deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the subthalamic nucleus on cognitive and motor functions in patients with Parkinson's Disease. The approach focuses on using low-frequency stimulation to enhance cognitive abilities such as executive function and memory, which are often impaired in Parkinson's patients. By comparing this method to traditional high-frequency stimulation, the study aims to determine if theta stimulation can provide better cognitive outcomes while also addressing motor symptoms. Patients will be monitored for improvements in both their cognitive and motor skills over the course of the study.

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.

• 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.

  NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11472896

• 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.

  NIH research Michigan Technological University · Houghton, United States · NIH-11444690

• 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

• 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.

  NIH research University of Southern California · Los Angeles, UNITED STATES · NIH-11396247

• 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

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.