A Study of Peripheral Nerve Tissue Implants for Parkinson's Disease During DBS Surgery

This study is looking at a new procedure for people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) who are already having Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. Researchers will take a small piece of your own peripheral nerve tissue (from your ankle) and implant it into specific areas of your brain during your DBS surgery. This is to see if it can help support brain cells. The study aims to see if this procedure is safe, can be successfully done, and how many participants complete the 12-month study. You may be able to join if you are 45-75 years old, have Parkinson's, and are scheduled for DBS surgery. The study plans to enroll 24 participants.

Study design
This is a Phase 1, randomized, double-blinded study involving 24 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive the nerve tissue in one of two brain areas.
What's involved
You would undergo a procedure to remove a small nerve sample from your ankle at the time of your DBS surgery. You would then have follow-up visits for up to 24 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for study-related adverse events from enrollment up to 24 months after the procedure.

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

NCT06683378

A Study to Evaluate Feasibility, Safety, and Clinical Responses of Implanting Autologous Peripheral Nerve Tissue Into the Brain for Non-motor or Motor Symptoms in Patients With Parkinson's Disease Undergoing DBS Surgery

Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 45–75InterventionalTreatment
Craig van Horne, MD, PhD
~24 participants
Updated 2026-08-31 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Reparative Autologous peripheral nerve tissue

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Successful deployment of bilateral peripheral nerve tissue (PNT) into the brain
Measured over Intraoperative
+3 more outcomes measured
Parkinson's Disease

NCT06683378

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Kentucky

    Lexington, Kentuckystudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Craig G van Horne, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Kentucky

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Undergoing DBS
Diagnosis of clinically established or clinically probably PD as defined by MDS criteria
Age 45-75, inclusive
Able to tolerate the surgical procedure
Able to undergo all planned assessments
Available access to the sural nerve

Exclusion

Any condition that would not make the subject a candidate for DBS
Dementia diagnosis
Previous PD surgery or intracranial surgery
Unable to undergo an MRI
An obstructed trajectory path to the substantia nigra and nucleus basalis of Meynert
  • Successful deployment of bilateral peripheral nerve tissue (PNT) into the brainIntraoperative

    Number of participants in each study arm who successfully receive bilateral PNT delivery.

  • Number of participants completing 12 month study visit12-month study visit

    Total number of participants to complete study visit by arm assignment

  • Study-related adverse events as assessed by MedDRA v27Enrollment to 24-month study visit

    Total number of study-related adverse events experienced by participants.

  • Study-related serious adverse events as assessed by MedDRA v.27Enrollment to 24-month study visit

    Total number of serious adverse events experienced by participants