Frequency-specific stimulation of subthalamic nucleus subregions to improve inhibitory control in Parkinson's disease
Frequency-dependent Modulation of Inhibitory Control Via Subthalamic Nucleus Subregional Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease
This tests whether stimulating different parts of the subthalamic nucleus at low (5 Hz) or high (130 Hz) frequencies can improve inhibitory control in people with Parkinson's disease who have deep brain stimulation.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Beijing Tiantan Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality) |
| Trial ID | NCT07022522 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who meet indications for DBS will receive sequential stimulation conditions targeting either the motor or associative subregions of the subthalamic nucleus at 5 Hz or 130 Hz, plus a no-stimulation control. During each condition they will perform cognitive tasks that measure inhibitory control to compare performance across frequencies and contact locations. The design compares within-subject effects of frequency and subregion to identify patterns that improve or worsen inhibitory control. Results will inform whether specific frequency–subregion combinations produce reliably better cognitive outcomes in the acute setting.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 40–80 with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who meet DBS indications and do not have dementia or sensory impairments that would interfere with cognitive testing.
Not a fit: Patients with significant psychiatric disorders, dementia, major post-DBS complications (e.g., hemorrhage, electrode misplacement), sensory impairments, or other conditions that impair cognition are unlikely to benefit from the tested interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow clinicians to tailor DBS frequency and contact location to reduce impulsivity and improve attention and daily functioning for patients with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows STN stimulation frequency and contact location can influence motor and cognitive outcomes, but applying frequency-specific stimulation across defined STN subregions specifically to improve inhibitory control is a relatively novel approach with mixed prior results.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 40-80 years old; 2. Diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease; 3. Meeting the indications for DBS surgery. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patient declined to participate in the study; 2. Presence of significant post-DBS complications (e.g., intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral edema, electrode misplacement); 3. Significant psychiatric disorders or dementia (MMSE score \<20 for uneducated; \<23 for 1-6 years education; \<27 for ≥7 years education); 4. Visual or auditory impairment affecting cognitive task performance 5. History of conditions potentially impairing cognitive function.
Where this trial is running
Beijing, Beijing Municipality
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University — Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jianguo Zhang, M.D., Ph.D. — Beijing Tiantan Hospital
- Study coordinator: Hutao Xie
- Email: xieht0123@163.com
- Phone: +8618756921517
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.