Brain activity in movement disorders: basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebellum
Neurophysiology of the Basal Ganglia, Thalamus, and Cerebellum in Patients With Movement Disorders
We will record brain electrical signals from adults with movement disorders, both with and without deep brain stimulators, to see if specific signal patterns match their symptoms.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT06848530 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This protocol records electrical brain activity from the scalp and, when available, from implanted deep brain stimulators in adults with Parkinson's disease, tremor, dystonia, cerebellar ataxia, or other hyperkinetic disorders. Recordings include noninvasive scalp electrodes and device-based sensing from compatible DBS systems, and data are collected alongside clinical measures of movement symptoms. Some participants may have medication adjustments or DBS programming changes as part of the protocol to capture different symptom states. The resulting signals are analyzed to identify neural signatures linked to symptom fluctuations that could inform biomarkers or future therapy adjustments.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) diagnosed by a movement disorders neurologist with Parkinson's disease, dystonia, tremor (including essential tremor), cerebellar ataxia, or other hyperkinetic movement disorders, with or without an implanted DBS device, who do not have dementia.
Not a fit: Patients with dementia, severe cognitive impairment, or those unable to travel to the study site are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify brain signal markers that help personalize DBS settings or guide new symptom-targeting treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work using scalp EEG and sensing-enabled DBS devices has produced promising biomarkers of movement symptoms, but translating these findings into routine clinical tools remains ongoing.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients 18 years of age and above * Any patient who has been diagnosed by a movement disorders neurologist with one of the following movement disorders: * Parkinson's disease * Dystonia * Tremor, including essential tremor * Cerebellar ataxia * Other hyperkinetic movement disorders, such as chorea and tics Exclusion Criteria: \- Patients with dementia
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Hospital — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.