Decoding brain signals and DBS settings for freezing of gait in Parkinson’s
Official title: Decoding the Neural Mechanisms Underlying Postural Instability and Gait Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease
Run by The Cleveland Clinic · NCT07748962 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how brain activity and different DBS settings affect freezing of gait and balance in people with Parkinson’s who already have a Medtronic Percept DBS device.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 5 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The Cleveland Clinic Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cleveland, Ohio) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 9, 2026 |
| Main results expected | March 18, 2027 |
| Study ends | April 18, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 26, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07748962 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are Parkinson’s patients with a stable Medtronic Percept DBS device who experience freezing of gait and can walk unassisted for at least 10 minutes.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals without DBS or without freezing of gait, or those unable to tolerate DBS adjustments or the study tasks, may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will record brain signals from the subthalamic nucleus while participants perform walking and balance tasks in immersive virtual reality. They will compare multiple DBS settings to see how changes influence gait disturbances and postural control in real-world-like conditions. The study combines neural data with biomechanical measurements to identify patterns that precede or accompany gait problems in Parkinson’s disease. The environment and tasks are designed to provoke FOG in a safe, controlled setting to better understand the underlying neurophysiology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide DBS programming to reduce freezing episodes and improve mobility.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies show that DBS can improve motor symptoms, but this study is notable for integrating neural recordings with immersive gait tasks to link brain activity to gait disturbances.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * You have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease * You already have a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device implanted as part of your medical care - specifically, the Medtronic Percept DBS device * Your DBS settings have been stable for at least 3 months * You experience freezing of gait (sudden inability to move your feet when trying to walk) * You are able to walk on your own for at least 10 minutes without assistance * You are willing to temporarily stop your Parkinson's medications and have your DBS settings adjusted for study testing * You are able to understand the study and provide consent to participate Exclusion Criteria: * You have a neurological condition other than Parkinson's disease (such as stroke or multiple sclerosis) * You have been diagnosed with dementia or have difficulty understanding the study or giving consent * You currently have alcohol or substance abuse problems * You have hearing or vision problems that would make it difficult to use a virtual reality headset * You have any medical or mental health condition that, in the opinion of the study doctor, would make it unsafe or difficult for you to participate
Where it's running
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Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jay L Alberts, PhD — The Cleveland Clinic
- Study coordinator: MacKenzie Dunlap
- Email: dunlapm4@ccf.org
- Phone: 216-219-3949
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Remote mental practice to help with freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease
This study is testing if a combination of mental exercises and physical practice can help people with Parkinson's disease who struggle with freezing while walking.
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Percept recordings of brain activity during freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease
This research will use the Medtronic Percept DBS device to test whether brain electrical patterns differ during walking, movement transitions, and freezing in people with Parkinson's disease who do and do not experience freezing of gait.
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Thoracic epidural spinal cord stimulation to reduce freezing of gait in advanced Parkinson's disease
This study will try temporary thoracic spinal cord stimulation to see if it helps people with advanced Parkinson's disease whose freezing of gait does not respond to medications.
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Using deep brain stimulation and levodopa to improve walking in Parkinson's patients
This study is testing whether increasing deep brain stimulation or giving a higher dose of levodopa helps people with Parkinson's disease walk better and reduces freezing episodes.
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CereGate Therapy for Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease
This study is testing if CereGate therapy can help people with Parkinson's Disease who have freezing of gait feel more mobile and improve their movement after having deep brain stimulation.
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One-day exercise test to see how brain and body react in epilepsy, cognitive disorders, Parkinson's, dementia, and related conditions
A one-day study tests how an acute bout of exercise changes brain function and bodily signals in people with certain neurological conditions compared with healthy individuals.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.