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Long-term Brain Stimulation of the Motor Ventral Thalamus (VOP/VIM) to Improve Motor Function

Long-term Brain Stimulation of the Motor Ventral Thalamus (VOP/VIM) to Improve Motor Function

Recruiting
18-80 years
All
Phase N/A

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Overview

This study aims to recruit patients already implanted with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders to complete tasks assessing parameters of motor output, speech, and swallowing functions, both with and without stimulation. DBS parameters would be adjusted prior to motor testing. Patients would then participate in multiple sessions performing contralateral upper extremity movement tasks measuring movement speed, grip strength, and strength modulation, facial movement, swallowing, and speech tasks.

Description

The study is designed to assess the assistive effects of DBS (i.e., immediate effects when the stimulation is turned ON) and obtain preliminary evidence for therapeutic effects (i.e., long-lasting effects with stimulation OFF). Researchers will 1) quantify the ability to recruit facial and oropharyngeal muscles with electrical stimulation of the motor thalamus in patients with DBS for movement disorders, 2) quantify the ability to recruit arm and hand muscles with electrical stimulation of the motor thalamus in patients with DBS, and 3) verify if the delivery of DBS has effects on the central nervous system with clinical measures.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

ALL PATIENTS:

  • Age lower than 80 to better tolerate intraoperative testing.
  • All Movement disorder patients, older than 18 and younger than 80, who will be implanted with DBS for treatment of motor symptoms.

HEALTHY CONTROLS:

  • Subject has provided written informed consent and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization, where applicable, prior to any study-related procedures.
  • Subject is ≥18 years of age and < 80 years of age.
  • Subject is willing and able to comply with scheduled visits and study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

ALL PATIENTS:

  • Patients will be excluded from the study if there is any seizure history, to avoid the increased epileptogenic risk during stimulation testing.
  • Patients with bilateral tremors will be excluded.
  • Patients with vasovagal response history and loss of consciousness history will be excluded.

HEALTHY CONTROLS:

  • Subject has severe behavioral or cognitive problems that preclude participation in the study, in the opinion of the investigator would impact participation in the study.
  • Participants who have any serious disease or disorder (e.g. cancer, severe cardiac or respiratory disease, neurological conditions other than stroke, etc.) or cognitive impairments that could affect their ability to participate in this study.
  • Female subjects are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Study details
    Traumatic Brain Injury
    Stroke
    Brain Disease
    Movement Disorders (Incl Parkinsonism)
    Central Nervous System Disease
    Essential Tremor
    Movement Disorders
    Essential Tremor of Voice

NCT07056348

University of Pittsburgh

14 July 2025

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