Investigating how the brain filters sensory information in Parkinson's disease

Sensory Filtering in the Human Basal Ganglia as a Mechanism of Parkinson's Disease

This study is testing how the brain processes sensory information during movement in people with Parkinson's disease to help find better treatments for their symptoms.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 89 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Birmingham, Alabama)
• Trial ID: NCT05482126 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study examines the role of the basal ganglia in processing sensory information related to movement disorders, specifically focusing on Parkinson's disease. Researchers will analyze brain activity during deep brain stimulation surgery in both Parkinson's patients and healthy individuals. By placing electrodes on the brain's surface and recording neural signals, the study aims to understand how the basal ganglia filter out irrelevant sensory stimuli during motor tasks. The findings could lead to improved treatment strategies for managing movement disorders.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 with advanced idiopathic Parkinson's disease who are scheduled for deep brain stimulation surgery.

Not a fit: Patients under 18 or those with atypical Parkinsonism or significant neurological diseases other than Parkinson's may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance treatment options for patients with Parkinson's disease by improving sensory processing and motor function.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of investigating sensory processing in the basal ganglia is innovative, similar studies have shown promise in understanding movement disorders.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria (PD participants):

1. Age \>18 years
2. Clinically definite, advanced idiopathic PD based on consensus criteria.
3. Normal, or essentially normal, preoperative brain MRI.
4. Patient is available for follow-up visits over the length of the study
5. Patient has elected to undergo DBS surgery as part of routine care, and subthalamic nucleus (STN) is determined as the appropriate surgical target

Inclusion criteria (control participants):

1. Age \>18 years.
2. No diagnosis of PD, other movement disorder, or other significant neurological disease.

Exclusion criteria (PD participants):

1. Age \<18 years.
2. Medical contraindications such as current uncontrolled hypertension, heart disease, coagulopathy, or other conditions that might increase the risk of surgery
3. Diagnosis or suspicion of atypical Parkinsonism (PSP, MSA, CBD) or drug-induced Parkinsonism, or significant neurological disease other than PD.
4. Diagnosis of psychogenic movement disorder based on consensus criteria
5. Prior DBS surgery or ablation
6. Clinical dementia and/or Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) score of \<5th percentile adjusted for age and education level, based upon routine pre-op NP testing.
7. Unable to withhold dopaminergic medications for at least 12 hours prior to scheduled visit

Exclusion criteria (control participants):

1. Age \<18 years.
2. Previous diagnosis of PD, other movement disorder, or other significant neurological disease.

Where this trial is running

Birmingham, Alabama

• The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital — Birmingham, Alabama, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Zachary Irwin, PhD — The University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Study coordinator: Zachary Irwin, PhD

Conditions Parkinson Disease; Parkinson; Sensory Processing; Basal Ganglia; Deep Brain Stimulation