Treatment Trials

37 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions

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RECRUITING
The Impact of Exercise on Subthalamic Nucleus Neural Activity in Parkinson's Disease
Description

Fifteen PwPD who have undergone DBS surgery and utilize the Percept system will complete a FE and VE exercise session on a stationary cycle while Off antiparkinsonian medication. Bilateral neural activity of the STN will be continuously recorded for 130 minutes (pre-, during FE or VE and post-exercise). The Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) III Motor Exam and upper extremity force-tracking task will be used to determine motor response to exercise.

TERMINATED
Burst-Type Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus in Parkinson's Disease
Description

This is a study to evaluate Deep brain stimulation (DBS) burst-type electrical stimulation programming verses standard DBS programming. Burst-type DBS is defined as a novel stimulation protocol in which intermittent bursts of traditional high-frequency rectangular wave stimulation are delivered. Burst type DBS may improve the efficacy and durability of DBS pulse generator.

RECRUITING
Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation in Speech Study
Description

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) have unpredictable and varied speech outcomes after this treatment. Our research will prospectively document speech performance before, during and 6- and 12-months after STN-DBS in 80 surgically treated patients and compared with 40 non-surgical controls with Parkinson's disease. This study will provide unique insights into the role of STN in speech production, document speech outcome in a comprehensive fashion, identify factors that predict functional communication ability 12 months after STN-DBS, and test the feasibility of low frequency DBS in reversing DBS-induced speech declines in order to optimize treatment strategies for those living with Parkinson's disease.

RECRUITING
Cortical Network Modulation by Subthalamic Nucleus DBS
Description

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) can provide substantial motor benefit yet can also produce unwanted mood and cognitive side effects. Although the neural mechanisms underlying benefits and side effects are not well understood, current hypotheses center on the potentially measurable yet currently undefined effects within downstream cortical networks. Limitations of current tools have impeded attempts to assess network connectivity directly and dynamically in humans with implanted DBS; PET lacks the necessary temporal resolution while fMRI is neither optimal nor safe for patients with implanted DBS. In this proposal, to overcome these significant limitations, the investigators apply high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) methods to investigate how STN DBS modulates cortical functional networks and behavior in PD patients. HD-DOT uses a collection of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measurements, free of radiation exposure concerns, and without electrical/metal artifacts or contraindications or safety concerns for DBS. However, common fNIRS systems are critically hampered by typically sparse measurement distributions that lead to poor anatomical specificity, unreliable image quality due to crosstalk with scalp signals, poor spatial resolution, limited field of view, unstable point spread functions, and uneven spatial coverage. HD-DOT solves these problems by using high-density interlaced source and detector imaging arrays that support densely overlapping measurements and anatomical head models that together result in higher spatial resolution, stable point spread functions, and greatly improved isolation of brain signals from scalp signals. The investigators have demonstrated that HD-DOT accurately maps functional connectivity (FC) within and between cortical resting state networks (RSNs) in the outer \~1cm of cortex with comparable temporal and spatial resolution to fMRI. Preliminary data in older controls and STN DBS patients that directly establish validity and feasibility for the proposed studies are provided. A recent comprehensive evaluation of FC in PD (without DBS) using fMRI found reduced within-network FC in visual, somatomotor, auditory, thalamic and cerebellar networks and reduced between-network FC involving predominantly cortical RSNs (somatomotor, sensory and association), some of which correlated with cognitive and motor dysfunction in PD. Notably, striatal RSNs were not abnormal. These data suggest that PD affects the interrelationships of cortical networks in a behaviorally meaningful way, far downstream of focal subcortical neuropathology. STN DBS is known to alter activity in downstream cortical regions that function as nodes within these dynamic cortical networks supporting movement and cognition. Thus, cortical network FC may play a critical role in mediating the impact of STN DBS on motor and non-motor behavior. Location of the stimulating contact may further modulate these downstream effects, due to the complex functional organization of the STN region. Study procedures include motor and cognitive tests, questionnaires, HD-DOT scanning, and MRI scans. The investigators propose to investigate how STN DBS influences downstream cortical network FC using HD-DOT. This information could lead to more efficient clinical optimization of DBS, identify potential cortical targets for less invasive neuromodulation, and lay the groundwork for future more complex experimental manipulations to determine the full range of STN DBS-induced cortical network responses to up-stream focal electrical perturbations, revealing fundamental properties of functional network plasticity.

COMPLETED
Low Frequency Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation to Improve Verbal Fluency
Description

Rationale: Parkinson's disease patients with deep brain stimulation electrodes represent a unique opportunity to study the influence of basal ganglia on neurocognitive function. Intervention: Patients' deep brain stimulators will be turned off or on and the frequency will be changed to either theta or gamma. Objectives: To identify differences in higher cognitive functions with stimulation "on" and "off" and theta versus gamma frequency stimulation. Study population: 12 patients who had previously undergone bilateral STN deep brain stimulation implantation. Study methodology: Patients will undergo four sessions of neuropsychological testing (RNGT, verbal fluency, D-KEFS CWIT) at baseline, no stimulation, theta stimulation and gamma stimulation, in random order over one day. Study outcomes: Test results of RNGT, verbal fluency, D-KEFS CWIT. Follow-up: none Statistics: Test results will be analyzed using within-subjects statistical tests.

COMPLETED
Computational Modeling of 60 Hz Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Gait Disorder in Parkinson's Disease
Description

The objective of this study is to further the understanding and application of 60Hz subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in Parkinson's patients with gait disorder. The investigators will achieve this through 2 study aims: 1. Determine the impact of 60Hz subthalamic deep brain stimulation on gait kinematics using wearable sensors 2. Develop machine learning models to predict optimal subthalamic deep brain stimulation frequency based on wearable sensors

TERMINATED
SIS Evaluation of the MRI Defined Subthalamic Nucleus*
Description

Retrospective review of images used to target the STN during DBS procedure and ability of the Surgical Information Sciences ("SIS") system to visualize the STN location.

COMPLETED
Low Frequency Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus in Parkinson's Disease
Description

Prospective trial of low frequency deep brain stimulation of the ventral subthalamic nucleus to improve cognitive performance in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. All study participants have undergone DBS implantation surgery as part of their routine care for motor manifestations of Parkinson's disease. In this study, a temporary low frequency period of stimulation will be applied to determine its effects on cognition.

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
ExAblate Transcranial MRgFUS of the Subthalamic Nucleus for Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
Description

This is primarily a safety protocol to evaluate the safety of subthalamotomy using Transcranial ExAblate for treatment of Parkinson's Disease (PD) motor features.

COMPLETED
Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Activity in the Subthalamic Nucleus
Description

The purpose of this research study is to find out whether dexmedetomidine changes brain cell activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN).

COMPLETED
Phase II Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) vs. Globus Pallidus (GPi) Trial
Description

The goal of the second phase of the study is to determine if simultaneous bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation or simultaneous bilateral globus pallidus stimulation is more effective in reducing symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.

COMPLETED
Mood and Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) Deep Brain Stimulation
Description

The purpose of this research study is to investigate any changes seen in mood or behavior following deep brain stimulation for movement disorders.

COMPLETED
Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) and Cognitive Control
Description

In this study, the investigators will follow patients who have had stimulators implanted, at their usual clinic follow-up appointments 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery. It is typical at these appointments for patients to be off medication and for the stimulators to be turned off to observe disease progress and test stimulator effectiveness. Also as part of standard clinical practice, stimulator settings are adjusted for optimal benefit to motor symptoms. Only patients who already have implants will be invited to participate in this study, and no changes to stimulator settings are made for the purposes of this study. Stimulator settings are changed based on clinical evaluation of motor symptoms, and this study has no bearing on how stimulators will be set nor how often they will be set.

COMPLETED
Mapping Mood in the Subthalamic Nucleus in Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Description

The goal of this study is to determine the vulnerability of mood-related neurocircuitry in Parkinson Disease (PD) using deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS).

TERMINATED
Study of AAV-GAD Gene Transfer Into the Subthalamic Nucleus for Parkinson's Disease
Description

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of AAV-GAD gene transfer into the subthalamic nucleus (STN) region of the brain. This study involves the treatment of subjects with medically refractory Parkinson's disease (PD). The gene transfer product, a disabled virus with a gene called GAD, will be infused into the STN bilaterally using stereotactic surgical techniques. The overall goal of this approach is to normalize the activity of the STN and reduce the motor symptoms of PD. Because the change in UPDRS demonstrated a positive outcome, the sham surgery subjects from the blinded portion of the study will be invited to crossover into the Open-label Arm portion of the study. The Open-label Arm will further evaluate the safety and efficacy of AAV-GAD gene transfer into the subthalamic nucleus (STN) region of the brain.

COMPLETED
Safety Study of Subthalamic Nucleus Gene Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
Description

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety of using a modified virus to transfer a gene called GAD into a region of the brain called the subthalamic nucleus in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. The overall goal of this approach is to ultimately normalize the flow of information in several brain regions responsible for movement, to ultimately improve function in patients with this disorder. The current study is primarily designed to evaluate the safety of this approach, but patients are also being monitored for possible signs of effectiveness as well.

RECRUITING
Enhancing Gait Using Alternating-Frequency DBS in Parkinson Disease
Description

The purpose of this study is to assess how alternating-frequency Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) works to improve postural instability and gait, while also treating other motor symptoms of Parkinson Disease (PD).

RECRUITING
Correlation of STN-DBS Induced Visuospatial Changes and Freezing of Gait
Description

The purpose of this research is to determine how deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease affects attention and visuospatial function. Additionally, this study will evaluate how deficits in visual attention are associated with freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease. There is currently no reliable treatment for FOG and little is understood about the underlying reason this occurs. Some recent research has found that stimulating the right side of the brain seems to improve FOG. The right side of the brain is also paramount for visual attention, which is why investigators are conducting this study.

NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Optimizing Deep Brain Stimulation to Improve Visuomotor Function in Parkinson's Disease
Description

Inability to align and refocus the eyes on the objects at different depths, i.e., vergence impairment and strabismus, frequently affects the quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. The investigators study aims to understand the location-specific effects of subthalamic region deep brain stimulation on vergence and strabismus by integrating the patient-specific deep brain stimulation models and high-resolution eye-tracking measures. The knowledge gained will allow the investigators to find the most beneficial stimulation location and parameters for improving binocular coordination, strabismus, and vergence while preserving the ability to treat motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

RECRUITING
Kinematic and Neural Dynamics of Postural Instability in Parkinson's Disease
Description

Balance problems and falls are among the most common complaints in Veterans with Parkinson's Disease (PD), but there are no effective treatments and the ability to measure balance and falls remains quite poor. This study uses wearable sensors to measure balance and uses deep brain stimulation electrodes to measure electric signals from the brain in Veterans with PD. The investigators hope to use this data to better understand the brain pathways underlying balance problems in PD so that new treatments to improve balance and reduce falls in Veterans with PD can be designed.

TERMINATED
Visualization of the STN and GPi for DBS
Description

The purpose of the study is to determine if using SIS System for DBS planning results in less distance between the planned target location and the actual implanted lead location than DBS planning without SIS System.

RECRUITING
Deep Brain Stimulation for Visuomotor Function in Parkinson's Disease
Description

Inability to align and refocus the eyes on the objects at different depths, i.e., vergence impairment, frequently affects the quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. Our study aims to understand the location-specific effects of subthalamic region deep brain stimulation on vergence by integrating the patient-specific deep brain stimulation models and high-resolution eye-tracking measures. The knowledge gained will allow us to find the most beneficial stimulation location and parameters for improving binocular coordination and vergence while preserving the ability to treat motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

RECRUITING
Dual Frequency Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease
Description

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the dorsal region of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is very effective for reducing motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Modeling studies suggest that this therapy may result in current spread into the ventral STN, causing altered cognitive processes. As a result, current stimulation parameters often lead to worsening in verbal fluency, executive function, and, particularly, cognitive control. There is evidence suggesting that low frequency oscillatory activity occurs across brain circuits important in integrating information for cognition. Preclinical studies and human recording studies indicate these low frequency theta oscillations drive cognitive control during cognitive tasks. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of low frequency stimulation (LFS) of the ventral STN alongside standard high frequency stimulation (HFS) of the dorsal STN in patients with PD.

TERMINATED
Longitudinal Outcomes of DBS in PD
Description

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is one of the largest-volume DBS centers in the country. From 2007 through October 2017, 265 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS), 168 of those implanted in subthalamic nucleus (STN) and 97 in globus pallidus interna (GPi). Pre-operatively, each patient is extensively evaluated with a battery of validated motor, cognitive, and mood instruments. This information is stored in RedCAP, a secure online database platform. In an attempt to capture longitudinal outcomes in this population of interest, we will recruit all PD patients two years or more status post DBS who are receiving regular care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Study participants will undergo a condensed evaluation of motor function (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III), cognitive performance (Mini-Mental Status Examination), mood (Beck Depression Inventory), and quality of life (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39). These results will be compared to baseline measures performed pre-operatively, allowing for assessment of interval change. STN and GPi DBS patients will be analyzed separately.

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
Effects of Stimulation Patterns of Deep Brain Stimulation
Description

The purpose of this study is to measure the effects of non-regular temporal patterns of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on motor symptoms and neural activity in persons with Parkinson's disease (PD), essential tremor (ET), dystonia or multiple sclerosis (MS). These data will guide the design of novel stimulation patterns that may lead to more effective and reliable treatment with DBS. These data will also enable evaluation of current hypotheses on the mechanisms of action of DBS. Improving our understanding of the mechanisms of action of DBS may lead to full development of DBS as a treatment for Parkinson's disease and may lead to future applications of DBS.

COMPLETED
Mobile Decision Support System for Nurse Management of Neuromodulation Therapy
Description

The purpose of this study is to test the use of a clinical decision support tool for postoperative care of Parkinson's disease patients who are treated using deep brain stimulation (DBS). The central hypothesis is that the use of a DBS clinical decision support system for individual patient management will enable considerable time savings and reduced burden on patients and caregivers.

COMPLETED
Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Frequency on Neural Synchrony
Description

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of low frequency deep brain stimulation on subthalamic nucleus neural synchrony. Low frequency stimulation does not improve the cardinal motor signs of Parkinson's disease, and may be beneficial only for gait and speech. This study will provide insight into what the effects of low frequency stimulation are on neural synchrony.

COMPLETED
Local Fields Potentials Recorded From Deep Brain Stimulating Electrodes
Description

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an FDA approved, and widely used method for treating the motor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD), Essential Tremor (ET) and Dystonia. Over 100,000 patients worldwide have now been implanted with DBS devices. The DBS target regions in the brain are the Subthalamic nucleus (STN), the Internal Segment of Globus Pallidus (GPi), or the Ventral Intermediate Nucleus of the Thalamus (VIM). In order to place the DBS electrode in the target location, a combination of two 3D imaging techniques; 3D MRI and CT, are used. Data are also collected from individual nerve cells to help find the best location for the DBS electrode in each patient. This electrode recording takes place during the standard surgical implantation of the DBS electrode, and is part of the standard clinical technique. The investigators plan to collect additional data from populations of neurons during the DBS surgery in an effort to further improve the placement of the DBS electrode. These "Local Field Potentials", LFPs, represent the activity of the collection of neurons surrounding the tip of the electrode, and will be measured during surgery along the path used for the placement of the DBS electrode. The goal of this project is to determine whether this additional data from surrounding neurons will help with optimal placement of the DBS electrode.

COMPLETED
Neural Signatures of Parkinson's Disease
Description

The purpose of this study is to provide objective measurements of abnormal movements of the body in correlation with neural activity of the brain and track how these change over time. This may allow for the development of objective evaluation of the neural activity causing abnormal movements, which may lead to the ability of the DBS system to stimulate the brain by sensing the abnormal neural activity that is causing abnormal movements.

COMPLETED
Neuropsychiatric Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation in Patients With Parkinson's Disease
Description

Stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus will have effects on various aspects of neuropsychiatric function.