Improving cognitive control in Parkinson's patients using electrical stimulation

Modulation of Cognitive Control Via Transcranial Continuous Electrical Stimulation of Additional Motor Areas in Parkinson's Patients

Not applicable Interventional Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Marseille · NCT04897633

This study is testing if a special type of brain stimulation can help people with Parkinson's disease improve their ability to control impulsive actions while they are on their medication.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment72 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAssistance Publique Hopitaux De Marseille Academic / other
Locations1 site (Marseille)
Trial IDNCT04897633 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive control in patients with Parkinson's disease who are undergoing dopaminergic treatment. The research aims to determine if cathodal stimulation of the Supplementary Motor Areas can enhance the ability to correct impulsive responses, which are often impaired in these patients. Participants will engage in a reaction time task, known as Simon's task, both with and without the stimulation to assess its impact on error correction. The study is designed as a single-center, single-blind, randomized trial.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who are on dopaminergic treatment and have no significant cognitive deterioration.

Not a fit: Patients with uncorrected visual acuity issues, recent changes in psychotropic treatment, or those with certain medical devices like pacemakers may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve cognitive control and reduce impulsivity in Parkinson's patients, enhancing their overall quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with tDCS in improving cognitive functions, suggesting potential success for this approach in Parkinson's disease.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for Parkinsonien patients:

* Age\> 18 years old
* Idiopathic Parkinson's disease meeting the diagnostic criteria as defined by Ward and Gibb (1990)
* Patients usually taking dopaminergic treatment.
* No cognitive deterioration with: a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≥ 26
* Patient with Parkinson's disease in the advanced motor complications stage for which surgical treatment is being considered

Inclusion Criteria for healthy subjects

* Age\> = 18 years old
* Patient free from Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease
* No cognitive deterioration: MMSE (MiniMentalSate Evaluation)\> 26

Exclusion Criteria for both parkinsonien patients an healthy volunteers:

* Uncorrected altered visual acuity
* Dyschromatopsia (especially color blindness)
* Psychotropic treatment introduced or modified recently (\<1 month)
* Wearing a pacemaker (Pace Maker or Implantable Defibrillator)
* Pregnancy (verified by a urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age)
* Other central nervous system disease (other parkinsonian syndrome, epilesia, stroke, etc.) or peripheral
* Intracranial metal implants on the cephalic stage and cochlear implant
* Untreated progressive mood or psycho-behavioral disorder
* Severe and poorly controlled eczema

Exclusion criteria for Parkinson's patients only:

* Significant and disabling abnormal movement, not allowing good acquisition of the EMG signal (tremors or dyskinesias)
* Wearer of a Deep Brain Stimulation device (CI at tDCS).

Where this trial is running

Marseille

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 Diseasetranscranial stimulationtDCSsimon task
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.