Deep brain stimulation to improve eye coordination in Parkinson's disease
Deep Brain Stimulation for Visuomotor Function in Parkinsons Disease
This study is testing if deep brain stimulation can help people with Parkinson's disease improve their eye coordination when looking at objects at different distances.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Cleveland, Ohio) |
| Trial ID | NCT05400499 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates how deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the subthalamic nucleus affects vergence, the ability to align and refocus the eyes on objects at different depths, in patients with Parkinson's disease. By integrating patient-specific DBS models with high-resolution eye-tracking measures, the research aims to identify optimal stimulation locations and parameters that enhance binocular coordination while still addressing motor symptoms. The study focuses on understanding the visual impairments associated with Parkinson's disease, which are often overlooked in current treatment options.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with Parkinson's disease who have undergone bilateral subthalamic nucleus DBS and meet specific eligibility criteria.
Not a fit: Patients with previous surgical therapy for Parkinson's disease, dementia, or significant untreated mental health issues may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve the quality of life for Parkinson's disease patients by enhancing their visual coordination and depth perception.
How similar studies have performed: While deep brain stimulation has shown promise in treating motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, the specific focus on vergence impairment is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Parkinson's disease with bilateral STN DBS * Availability of pre-operative MR images (with a T1-weighted, gradient-echo sequence) and ability to get post-operative MRI or CT scans * Hoehn and Yahr stage 2-4 when off medication, and a stable antiparkinsonian medication regimen and DBS parameter settings Exclusion Criteria: * Previous surgical therapy for Parkinson's disease (other than DBS) * Dementia * Clinically significant untreated depression or anxiety * Clinical features suggestive of atypical parkinsonism
Where this trial is running
Cleveland, Ohio
- Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH — Cleveland, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Aasef G. Shaikh, MD PhD — Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
- Study coordinator: Aasef G Shaikh, MD PhD
- Email: Aasef.Shaikh@va.gov
- Phone: (216) 791-3800
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.