Investigating brain activity related to walking in Parkinson's patients

Investigating Neural Biomarkers for Gait in Parkinson's Patients

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology · NCT05820074

This study looks at how the brains of people with Parkinson's disease work while they walk to see if it can help create better treatments for their movement problems.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSwiss Federal Institute of Technology (other)
Locations1 site (Vitznau, Canton of Lucerne)
Trial IDNCT05820074 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore the neural mechanisms involved in movement among individuals with Parkinson's disease. Participants will engage in walking and gait-related tasks while their brain activity is recorded to identify neural biomarkers associated with gait. The study includes 60 participants, split evenly between healthy individuals and those with Parkinson's disease, to compare neural activity during different motor tasks. Insights gained may lead to personalized treatment options for managing gait disorders in Parkinson's patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include non-tremor dominant idiopathic Parkinson's patients with postural instability and gait disturbances who have an implanted Percept™ PC neurostimulator.

Not a fit: Patients with relevant cognitive impairments or those with other neurological or orthopedic conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more personalized and effective treatment strategies for gait disorders in Parkinson's disease.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in identifying neural biomarkers for movement disorders, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

All participants

* must have given informed consent as documented by signature
* agree to comply with the study procedures

Healthy control group

* no neurological, orthopedic, or rheumatologic disease history
* no identified sensory impairment.
* no epilepsy and self-diagnosed acute or chronic psychiatric disorders

Parkinson's Patients

* non-tremor dominant idiopathic PD patients
* presence of postural instability (UPDRS \>1 for postural instability \[17\]), gait disturbance, and absence of other causes of reduced balance
* Implanted with Percept™ PC neurostimulator
* Able to be in the stimulation OFF

Exclusion Criteria:

* Relevant cognitive impairment, with a score on Montréal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) \< 20
* History of physical or neurological condition that interferes with study procedures
* Social and/or personal circumstances interfering with the ability to come to the session

Where this trial is running

Vitznau, Canton of Lucerne

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Parkinson Disease, Gait Disorders, Neurologic, Parkinson's disease, gait parameters, neural activity, Percept PC, deep brain stimulation

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.