Investigating Brain Activity in Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor

This study is looking into brain activity related to non-motor symptoms like depression and thinking problems in people with Parkinson's disease or essential tremor. Researchers are interested in how the brain controls our ability to stop an action (response inhibition), which can be difficult for people with these conditions. During routine Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery, small electrodes will be placed on the surface of the brain to record this activity. The study aims to understand these brain patterns better. You might be able to join if you have Parkinson's disease or essential tremor, are having DBS surgery, and are at least 18 years old.

Study design
This interventional study plans to include 140 participants. The phase of the study is not specified.
What's involved
Participants will have small electrodes placed on the surface of their brain during their routine Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. They will also participate in specific tasks described in the study plan.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary measurements for accuracy and response times are taken at baseline (the start of the study).

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04735458

Investigating Inhibitory Control Networks in Parkinson's Disease

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of Alabama at Birmingham
~140 participants
Updated 2025-12-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Procedure/Surgery: Response Inhibition and Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's disease

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Accuracy via Simon Task (% correct)
Measured over Baseline
+5 more outcomes measured
Parkinson Disease
1 sites across 1 states
Alabama1
  • Nicole Bentley, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Alabama at Birmingham

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Eligible for surgery based on multi-disciplinary consensus review
Have a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or Essential Tremor
Have a diagnosis of medically-refractory movement disorder (Parkinson's disease, Essential Tremor, or dystonia)
Willingness to participate in the paradigms described in the protocol

Exclusion

Inability to provide full and informed consent
Age younger than 18
Are not able to participate in study-related activities
History of prior ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke, subdural hemorrhage, or seizure
  • Accuracy via Simon Task (% correct)Baseline

    In the Simon task, participants are instructed to respond with a right or left button press (Right = Red, Left = Blue) according to how a word is printed on a screen ("RED" or "BLUE"), regardless of the color in which the word is printed. This is a measurement of accuracy (% correct, ranging from 0-100, with higher scores indicating better performance)

  • Response times via Simon Task (sec)Baseline

    In the Simon task, participants are instructed to respond with a right or left button press according to the word "RIGHT" or "LEFT" that appears on a screen, regardless of where on the screen it actually appears. This is a measurement response times (continuous measure, from 0-4000 milliseconds) between correct and incorrect responses.

  • Simon Effect on Response times (sec)Baseline

    Participants will perform the Simon task as described, and the Simon effect will be calculated as the difference in response times between congruent and incongruent trials

  • Simon Effect on Accuracy (% correct)Baseline

    Participants will perform the Simon task as described, and the Simon effect will be calculated as the difference in accuracy between congruent and incongruent trials

  • United Parkinson's disease Rating Scale part 3: Motor Examination Score 0-108 (Higher score represents worse symptoms)Baseline

    Participants will undergo motor evaluation using the validated United Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part 3.

  • Dementia Rating Scale Score 0-144 points (Higher score represents better symptoms)Baseline

    Participants will undergo neuropsychological testing as part of routine care, including the Dementia Rating Scale