Personalized Real-Time Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease

This trial tests a personalized treatment for people with Parkinson's disease using deep brain stimulation (DBS). The researchers aim to determine how real-time control of brain activity can help manage Parkinson's symptoms. Participants will receive different types of DBS, with some treatments amplifying and others suppressing brain signals, alongside traditional medication such as Carbidopa/Levodopa. This trial suits those diagnosed with Parkinson's who are eligible for DBS surgery and can manage delays in their daily medication routine. As a Phase 4 trial, the treatment is already FDA-approved and proven effective, helping researchers understand its benefits for more patients.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop your current medications, but it mentions that participants must be able to tolerate delays in taking their daily Parkinson's disease medications.

Studies have shown that deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease is generally safe, though it carries some risks. One study reported serious side effects in about 55% of patients using DBS, compared to 44% of those taking only medication. These side effects can include infections or issues with the procedure's equipment.

Levodopa, a common drug for Parkinson's, also presents some side effects. Specifically, one study found that 89% of participants experienced side effects, though most were not severe. Levodopa is known to help control symptoms over the long term.

Researchers are excited about these treatments because they offer a personalized approach to managing Parkinson's disease. Traditional treatments typically include medications like Levodopa and standard deep brain stimulation (DBS), which are not tailored to individual brain activity. However, these new methods use closed-loop DBS that either amplifies or suppresses specific brain wave patterns, known as beta oscillations, in real-time. This could lead to more precise symptom control and potentially improve quality of life for patients. Additionally, by comparing these new methods to being off stimulation and medication, and to using Levodopa alone, researchers hope to understand how these innovative approaches can be integrated with existing treatments for better outcomes.

Research has shown that deep brain stimulation (DBS), one of the treatments studied in this trial, can improve movement in people with Parkinson's disease. It significantly reduces shaking, stiffness, and movement problems, with benefits lasting up to five years. Patients using DBS often require less medication, leading to fewer side effects.