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Optimizing Deep Brain Stimulation for Vision in Parkinson's Disease

This observational study is looking at how Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can be adjusted to improve vision problems in people with Parkinson's disease. Many people with Parkinson's have trouble aligning and refocusing their eyes (called vergence impairment) or have eyes that don't look in the same direction (strabismus), which can cause double vision. Researchers want to understand which specific areas stimulated by DBS are best for improving these vision issues while still helping with motor symptoms like tremor and stiffness. You might be able to join if you have Parkinson's disease, have already had bilateral STN DBS surgery, and have specific brain scan images available. The study will look at how well your eyes align and refocus after one month to see if the DBS adjustments are successful. The current status of this study is unclear, and it plans to enroll 80 participants.

Study design
This is an observational study, meaning researchers will be watching and collecting information without giving a new treatment. It plans to include 80 participants.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary outcomes, eye alignment and strabismus, will be measured at one month.

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

NCT06857851

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

Recruiting
Not specifiedAll AgesObservational
VA Office of Research and Development
~80 participants
Updated 2026-07-07 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Eye alignment - vergence gain
Measured over One month
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Parkinson's Disease

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Parkinson Disease

NCT06857851

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.

  • Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH

    Cleveland, Ohiostudy 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.

Study leadership

  • Aasef G. Shaikh, MD PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH

Who to contact

Aasef G Shaikh, MD PhD
[email protected]
(216) 791-3800 · ext. 60000
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Parkinson's disease with bilateral STN DBS
Availability of pre-operative MR images (with a T1-weighted, gradient-echo sequence) and ability to get post-operative MRI or CT scans
Hoehn and Yahr stage 2-4 when off medication, and a stable antiparkinsonian medication regimen and DBS parameter settings

Exclusion

Previous surgical therapy for Parkinson's disease (other than DBS)
Dementia
Clinically significant untreated depression or anxiety
Clinical features suggestive of atypical parkinsonism

What this trial measures

  • Eye alignment - vergence gainOne month

    The investigators will measure vergence gain as one outcome measure. This measure will be calculated by measuring ratio of observed versus expected difference between the horizontal angular positions of the right and left eye as participants move gaze from far to near or vice versa.

  • StrabismusOne month

    The investigators will measure difference in position of right versus left eye as participants hold gaze on object of interest.