Actively Recruiting
Apathy in Parkinson Disease TMS Study
Led by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Updated on 2025-06-19
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
165 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this clinical trial is to develop non-invasive brain stimulation targets for the treatment of apathy, or motivation problems, in Parkinson Disease. The main questions the study aims to answer are: 1. Does transcranial magnetic stimulation change effort task performance in Parkinson's Disease patients? 2. Is there a link between brain signals and apathy? Participants will * complete questionnaires and assessments * perform an effort task * have their brain activity recorded (EEG) * receive non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS) Researchers will compare two stimulation locations (experimental site and control site) to see if TMS of the experimental site has an effect on apathy. Participants will receive stimulation of both sites (during separate visits).
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Apathy in Parkinson Disease TMS Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson Disease.
- At least 5 years of symptoms.
- On dopaminergic medication for Parkinson Disease.
- Stable on dopaminergic medication and other medications influencing apathy for at least 4 weeks prior to first visit and throughout the study.
- Hospital's study-specific informed consent obtained.
- Capacity to provide informed consent in English.
- For female participants, no menstrual period for over 12 months or use of effective contraception during the study.
You will not qualify if you...
- Inability to provide informed consent.
- Inability to perform effort task (determined during titration).
- Presence of dementia (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score less than 21).
- History of epilepsy or brain surgery.
- Severe tremor or dyskinesia interfering with EEG.
- Medical or neurological conditions causing parkinsonism other than Parkinson Disease.
- Other central nervous system diseases interfering with EEG or TMS.
- Presence of implanted metal devices such as pacemakers, deep brain stimulators, or cochlear implants.
- Medical contraindications to TMS including history of mania, bipolar disorder, or epilepsy.
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UNC-Chapel Hill, Cassidy Lab
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27599
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Anita Frohlich, LL.M.
CONTACT
M
Miriam Sklerov, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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