Deep Brain Stimulation for Voice Disorders in Dystonia and Tremor

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This project aims to explore the incidence of voice disorders in patients with laryngeal dystonia and essential tremor who are undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS). It will investigate the neuroimaging and neurophysiological correlates of voice dysfunction and assess the effects of DBS on voice function. By utilizing both invasive and non-invasive neuroscience techniques, the study seeks to enhance understanding of how voice control is affected in these patients and to develop targeted strategies for treating voice dysfunction through closed-loop brain stimulation.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion

1. Clinical indications to proceed with DBS implantation, as determined by the clinical multidisciplinary movement disorders board, including: a) definitive diagnosis of essential tremor or dystonia, b) medically refractory disease, c) adequate performance on neuropsychological evaluation as determined by a licensed clinical neuropsychologist.
2. The ability to comply with test directions, complete pre-operative task training, and provide informed consent.
3. Age 18-80 years.

Exclusion

1\. Inability to understand or perform the task outlined in the protocol during a pre-surgery training session. 2. Significant hearing loss.

3\. Cortical venous anatomy that could potentially obstruct ECoG electrode placement, as determined by the surgeon, visualized on pre-op MRI or during surgery.

Where it's running

• Massachusetts General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, University of Utah
  Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Kristina Simonyan, MD, PhD
• Email: simonyan_lab@meei.harvard.edu
• Phone: 617-573-6016

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Examining brain function in laryngeal dystonia and voice tremor

  This study is testing how brain function differs in people with laryngeal dystonia and voice tremor compared to healthy individuals to better understand these voice disorders.

  Recruiting Early Phase 1 Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT05216770

• Evaluating voice disorders like laryngeal dystonia and voice tremor

  This study is testing new ways to tell the difference between laryngeal dystonia and voice tremor to help people get the right treatment for their voice disorders.

  Recruiting Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT05150106

• Investigating the relationship between genetic mutations and brain changes in dystonia

  This study is trying to see how genetic changes linked to dystonia affect the brain in people with the condition compared to healthy individuals.

  Recruiting University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · Dallas, Texas · NCT03428009

• Observational study on functional neurological disorders in movement disorder patients

  This study looks at how common functional neurological disorders are in patients with movement disorders to see how they differ from those with non-functional movement issues.

  Recruiting Medical University of Graz · Graz, Styria · NCT05943652

• Long-term evaluation of Abbott deep brain stimulation systems for movement disorders

  This study is testing how safe and effective Abbott deep brain stimulation systems are for people with movement disorders like Parkinson's disease over a five-year period.

  Recruiting at 24 sites Abbott Medical Devices · Tucson, Arizona and 47 other locations · NCT04071847

• Intraoperative Microelectrode Recordings with MAVEN vs Standard Equipment

  This study tests whether MAVEN can match the recording data collected during DBS surgery for movement disorders using standard equipment.

  Recruiting Mayo Clinic · Rochester, Minnesota · NCT07868614

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.