Globus pallidus externa stimulation for insomnia in Parkinson disease

Stimulation of the External Pallidal Segment for Insomnia in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Not applicable Interventional Mayo Clinic · NCT04116996

This trial will try turning on an extra deep brain stimulation electrode aimed at the globus pallidus externa to see if it improves severe insomnia in people with Parkinson disease.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment10 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorMayo Clinic Academic / other
Locations1 site (Jacksonville, Florida)
Trial IDNCT04116996 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Participants with Parkinson disease and severe insomnia will receive unilateral deep brain stimulation targeted to the globus pallidus externa by turning on an additional implanted electrode. The team will compare sleep symptoms and insomnia severity before and after GPe stimulation, using validated measures such as the Insomnia Severity Index. Eligible participants are 40–80 years old, have 7–20 years of Parkinsonism, and have no significant dementia or other major neurologic or psychiatric disorders. Procedures and post-operative follow-up visits will take place at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 40–80 with 7–20 years of Parkinson disease who have severe insomnia by ISI score, no clinically significant dementia or other major neurologic/psychiatric disease, and who can travel to Jacksonville for post-operative visits.

Not a fit: Patients with severe sleep apnea, insomnia driven by pain or untreated mood disorders, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, prior pallidotomy/thalamotomy or other implanted devices, significant dementia, or secondary (non-idiopathic) parkinsonism are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, targeted GPe stimulation could reduce insomnia symptoms and improve sleep quality in people with Parkinson disease.

How similar studies have performed: This approach is relatively novel: while DBS has been used for motor symptoms and some prior work suggests DBS can affect sleep, targeted stimulation of the GPe for insomnia is largely untested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 40-80 years of age
* Symptomatic with Parkinsonism for 7-20 years
* Severe insomnia based on ISI score

Exclusion Criteria:

* Clinically significant dementia (MMSE \<23)
* Hoehn \& Yahr \[Hoehn, 1967 #1839\] stage I or V disease
* Other significant neurological or psychiatric disease
* Previous pallidotomy or thalamotomy
* Previous placement of other implantable devices
* Secondary parkinsonism (non-idiopathic parkinsonism)
* Inability to travel to Jacksonville for post-operative study visits
* Severe sleep apnea
* Insomnia due to pain or untreated mood disorder
* Contraindications to 3T MRI
* Circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
* Current use of hypnotics

Where this trial is running

Jacksonville, Florida

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Parkinson Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.