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Stimulating Brain Areas (VOP/VIM) with Electricity for Movement Disorders

This study is looking for people who are already scheduled to have deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for movement disorders, such as essential tremor. The researchers want to understand how stimulating specific brain areas with electricity, called Direct cortical stimulation and deep brain stimulation of motor thalamus, helps improve movement and muscle control. During your standard DBS surgery, a temporary strip electrode will be placed on the surface of your brain to record brain activity and test how the stimulation affects your movement. The study will measure electromyography activity (muscle electrical activity) 14 days after the procedure to see the effects. The study plans to enroll 60 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study that plans to enroll 60 participants. It involves a specific procedure during your scheduled deep brain stimulation surgery.
What's involved
You would undergo deep brain stimulation surgery, during which additional temporary electrodes will be placed to record brain activity and test the effects of stimulation. You will also perform movement and articulation exercises during this time.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your electromyography activity will be measured 14 days after the procedure.

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NCT07056361

Stimulating Specific Brain Areas (VOP/VIM) With Electricity to Improve Movement and Muscle Control

Recruiting
NAAges 18–75InterventionalBasic science
Jorge Gonzalez-Martinez
~60 participants
Updated 2025-11-10 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Direct cortical stimulation and deep brain stimulation of motor thalamus

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Electromyography Activity
Measured over 14 days

Conditions

Movement Disorders (Incl Parkinsonism)
Stroke
Traumatic Brain Injury
Brain Diseases
Parkinson Disease
Essential Tremor, Movement Disorders

Explore related trials

Essential TremorParkinson Disease

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Pennsylvania1

Study leadership

  • Jorge Gonzalez-Martinez, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Pittsburgh

Who to contact

Cierra Clark, MS
[email protected]
240-441-4216
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Essential tremor patients who are scheduled to undergo deep brain stimulation surgery at UPMC Presbyterian with asymmetric essential tremor symptoms will be included, with the tested limb corresponding to the least affected arm to better approximate normal function. These patients are implanted bilaterally regardless of symptom laterality, as the natural history of essential tremor indicates eventual bilateral symptoms.
Parkinson's Disease patients who are scheduled to undergo deep brain stimulation surgery at UPMC Presbyterian with a history of Parkinson's Disease will also be recruited for intra-operative stimulation of their STN-targeted implants, to assess if VIM/VOP has high specificity for improving motor output.

Exclusion

Patients will be excluded from the study if there is any seizure history, to avoid the increased epileptogenic risk of intraoperative stimulation.
Patients with significant bilateral tremor that precludes completion of motor tasks.

What this trial measures

  • Electromyography Activity14 days

    The investigators will record electromyography activity (EMG) to measure the motor evoked potentials of upper limb and facial muscles. At the end of the procedures these needles and/or the superficial adhesive electrodes will be removed. Based on the preliminary data, the investigators will consider the number of participants with at least an 18% increase in muscle activation as minimally acceptable.