Investigating brain activity during ultrasound stimulation in movement disorders
Investigating Local Field Potential Correlates of Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation in Patients With Movement Disorders
This study is testing whether a new ultrasound treatment can improve brain activity and movement in people with disorders like Parkinson's disease and essential tremor.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 25 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Health Network, Toronto Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Toronto, Ontario) |
| Trial ID | NCT05965960 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study explores the effects of Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation (TUS) on patients with movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Participants will undergo both active and sham stimulation sessions, with their brain activity recorded using a specialized DBS system to capture local field potentials (LFPs). The study aims to understand the neural correlates of TUS and identify potential biomarkers for optimizing treatment parameters in future clinical applications. By analyzing LFPs during specific tasks, researchers hope to correlate brain activity with motor performance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults with diagnosed movement disorders who have a Percept PC DBS system implanted and stable dopaminergic medication.
Not a fit: Patients with concomitant neurological conditions or significant cognitive decline may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved non-invasive treatment options for patients with movement disorders.
How similar studies have performed: While TUS is an emerging technique, this specific approach of correlating LFPs with TUS effects in movement disorders is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adult patients with movement disorders (diagnosed by a movement disorder specialist) 2. Implantation of a Percept PC DBS system at least one month before the sonications 3. Stable dopaminergic medication dose for a minimum of 4 weeks Exclusion Criteria: 1. Concomitant neurological conditions (stroke, seizure, dementia, major depression / psychiatric disorders, active drug abuse/addiction and major neuromuscular/musculoskeletal diseases) 2. Declined cognitive scores (MoCA score \< 22) 3. Implants (cardiac pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, intracranial devices other than DBS system such as shunts and MR-unsafe devices) 4. History of intracranial lesioning procedures 5. Major systemic illness, infection or pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Toronto, Ontario
- Toronto Western Hospital — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Robert Chen, MBBS — University Health Network, Toronto
- Study coordinator: Julian Kwok
- Email: julian.kwok@uhn.ca
- Phone: 1 416 603 5800
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.