Using neurostimulation to improve sleep in Parkinson's disease

Adaptive Neurostimulation to Restore Sleep in Parkinson's Disease: An Investigation of STN LFP Biomarkers in Sleep Dysregulation and Repair

Not applicable Interventional University of Nebraska · NCT05070013

This study is testing a new way to use brain stimulation to help people with Parkinson's disease get better sleep.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Nebraska Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Omaha, Nebraska and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05070013 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of an adaptive neurostimulation algorithm designed to enhance sleep quality in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who experience severe sleep fragmentation. By utilizing local field potentials recorded from deep brain stimulation electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus, researchers aim to identify and modulate sleep-related neural activity. Participants will undergo a series of assessments, including actigraphy and polysomnography, before and after the surgical implantation of deep brain stimulation devices. The study will compare the effects of chronic open-loop stimulation, adaptive stimulation, and a no-stimulation control group in a randomized, blinded manner.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who have severe motor symptoms and inadequate relief from optimized medical therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with mild Parkinson's disease or those who do not require deep brain stimulation surgery may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve sleep quality and overall quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using neurostimulation for sleep regulation in Parkinson's disease, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Signed informed consent
* Diagnosis of Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) with motor symptoms present for a minimum of 4 years
* Severe motor symptoms (e.g., motor fluctuations, dyskinesia, tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity) despite optimized medical therapy, that warrant surgical implantation of deep brain stimulation (DBS), according to standard clinical criteria
* Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) score off medication 20 to 80, and improvement of at least 30% in UPDRS-III score on medications, or tremor-dominant PD (score \>/= 2 on UPDRS-III tremor sub-score) or tremor in addition to other motor symptoms that are treatment-resistant and result in significant functional disability
* Appropriate trials of oral PD medications resulting in inadequate relief of motor symptoms as determined by a movement disorders neurologist, and stable dose of anti-PD medications for 30 days prior to study enrollment
* Requested and approved for subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation surgery (STN DBS) by study site Multi-Disciplinary Movement Disorders Patient Care Conference
* Absence of abnormalities on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan suggestive of an alternate diagnosis or serving as a contraindication to surgery
* Absence of significant cognitive deficits or significant depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II, BDI-II, score \> 20) on formal Neuropsychological Testing
* Age 18 to 80 years (19 to 80 years in Nebraska)
* Able to conduct follow up neurological care exclusively at study site for duration of the RC+S INS neurostimulator device lifespan (9 years)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any medical condition considered to elevate risk for surgical complications, such as coagulopathy,, uncontrolled hypertension, history of seizures, heart disease, inability to undergo general anesthesia, or anticoagulant medications that cannot be safely discontinued for perioperative period
* Pregnancy (women of child-bearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test prior to surgical procedures)
* Significant untreated depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II, BDI-II \> 20 or Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS, score \> 8)
* Personality or mood disorder symptoms that investigators believe will interfere with study requirements
* Required ongoing treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), or diathermy
* Pre-existing implanted stimulation system (e.g., cochlear implant, cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, neuro-stimulator for indication other than Parkinson's disease), or ferromagnetic metallic implant
* Prior intracranial surgery
* History or active, drug or alcohol abuse
* Meets criteria for Parkinson's disease (PD) with Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI), as defined by Performance \> 2 standard deviations below appropriate norms on tests from 2 or more of the following cognitive domains: Attention, Executive Function, Language, Memory, and Visuospatial Ability
* Restless Leg Syndrome
* Obstructive Sleep Apnea
* Inability to perform the recharge process necessary to use the RC+S brain stimulation system

Where this trial is running

Omaha, Nebraska and 1 other locations

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.
Conditions Parkinson's DiseaseSleep Fragmentation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.