Understanding brain activity in Parkinson's disease during surgery
Official title: Characterizing the Pathophysiological Role of the Pallido-thalamocortical Motor Pathway in Parkinson's Disease.
Run by University of Minnesota · NCT06692920 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing how brain activity during surgery can help doctors better understand and treat motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 21 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 25 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Minnesota Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Minneapolis, Minnesota) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 1, 2024 |
| Main results expected | December 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | March 16, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06692920 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are individuals aged 21-75 diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who are scheduled for DBS surgery.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with significant neurological disorders other than Parkinson's disease or those with a history of dementia may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study aims to explore the relationship between brain activity and motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. Participants will have an FDA-approved ECoG strip placed in their brain during the DBS procedure to record electrical activity while performing motor tasks. The study will compare brain activity from the DBS lead and the ECoG strip to identify biomarkers associated with Parkinson's disease and optimize stimulation locations. The goal is to enhance understanding of how different brain regions communicate and how this information can improve treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective DBS treatments for patients with Parkinson's disease by optimizing stimulation based on brain activity.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on DBS and brain activity, this specific approach using ECoG strips in conjunction with DBS is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of idiopathic PD * DBS surgery at UMN is planned as part of routine clinical care * Aged 21-75 Exclusion Criteria: * Other significant neurological disorder, which may confound neurophysiological changes associated with Parkinson's disease * History of dementia * Patients with post-operative complications or adverse effects (e.g. ON stimulation dystonias) that affect patient safety or confound the experiment will be excluded from further study * Pregnant women * Known research radiation exposure within the last year that is determined to be unsafe when compounded with the expected radiation dose from intraoperative fluoroscopy
Where it's running
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Joshua E Aman — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Kelly Brown, RN
- Email: ksbrown@umn.edu
- Phone: (612) 301-2140
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.