Actively Recruiting
Characterization of Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Laterality on Visuospatial Attention and Correlation to Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease
Led by Medical University of South Carolina · Updated on 2025-05-29
12
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in people with Parkinson's disease affects attention and visuospatial skills. The study focuses on understanding how changes in visual attention relate to freezing of gait (FOG), a disabling symptom with no reliable treatment. Recent findings suggest that stimulating the right side of the brain may improve FOG, as the right hemisphere plays a key role in visual attention. Participants will undergo DBS adjustments where the stimulation is turned off sequentially on each side of the brain. One group will start with the left STN-DBS on and right STN-DBS off, then switch; the other group will begin with the right STN-DBS on and left STN-DBS off, then switch. These adjustments will occur during assessments of cognitive function and FOG to evaluate the impact of lateralized stimulation. During the study, participants will be assessed on visuospatial attention and freezing of gait using specific cognitive tasks such as the Flanker and Go-No-Go tests. Researchers will observe how turning off each side of the DBS affects these functions and measure correlations between changes in attention and FOG. The study includes detailed safety monitoring and aims to characterize the relationship between STN-DBS laterality and gait freezing over the study period.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Correlation of STN-DBS Induced Visuospatial Changes and Freezing of Gait
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Subjects above 18 years of age
- Subjects with freezing of gait
- Subjects with bilateral STN-DBS surgery as part of their clinical care for Parkinson's disease
You will not qualify if you...
- Uncorrected visual or hearing impairments, as indicated by self-report
- Individuals who are pregnant or expect to become pregnant during the course of the study
- Individuals with dementia or relevant brain lesions impacting cognition or gait
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants undergo sequential turning off of each side of their STN-DBS device during cognitive and freezing of gait assessments to evaluate the impact of lateralized stimulation.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29403
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
N
Nathan DeTurk, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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