Using brain stimulation to reduce tremors in Parkinson's disease
Closed-loop Phase-adaptive Cerebellar Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) to Modulate Activity in the Cerebello-thalamo-cortical Network to Reduce Parkinson's Disease Tremor
NA · Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf · NCT06993571
This study is testing a new brain stimulation technique to see if it can help reduce hand tremors in people with Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Hamburg, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg) |
| Trial ID | NCT06993571 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the use of cerebellar transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to modulate hand tremors in patients with Parkinson's disease. It employs a closed-loop system that synchronizes stimulation with the patient's intrinsic tremor signal, aiming to reduce tremor severity. The study will compare the effects of active tACS against sham and unlocked tACS treatments to evaluate efficacy. By targeting the cortico-thalamo-cortical network, this approach seeks to address the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of tremor.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who experience moderate to severe hand tremors.
Not a fit: Patients with other neurological disorders, heart pacemakers, or those who are pregnant may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a non-invasive treatment option for managing hand tremors in Parkinson's disease patients.
How similar studies have performed: While non-invasive brain stimulation techniques have shown promise in other studies, this specific approach using phase-adaptive tACS is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease based on UK Brain Bank criteria * Patient exhibiting moderate to severe hand tremor * Provision written informed consent by the patient Exclusion Criteria: * History of other neurological disorders such as vascular malformations, ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke, cerebral neoplasia, epilepsy, or major psychiatric illness * Existence of heart pacemaker or metal implants in the body * Pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Hamburg, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
- Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf — Hamburg, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Germany (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Simone Zittel, Dr. med.
- Email: s.zittel-dirks@uke.de
- Phone: +49 40 7410 53770
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.
Conditions: Parkinson's Disease, Tremor, Parkinson's disease, Hand tremor, Transcranial alternating current stimulation, Non-invasive brain stimulation, Closed-loop stimulation, Phase-adaptive stimulation