Brain pacemaker learns to help Parkinson's patients walk better

NCT ID NCT04675398

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Doris Wang, MD, PhD Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This early-phase study tests a new type of deep brain stimulation that adapts in real time to a person's movements, aiming to improve walking and motor skills in Parkinson's disease. Ten patients already scheduled for standard DBS surgery will receive this adaptive stimulation and be compared to standard continuous stimulation. The goal is to see if personalized, on-demand stimulation can improve gait and reaction times better than current methods.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: deep brain stimulation device (Summit RC+S)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a more personalized, on-demand brain stimulation therapy that improves walking and movement in people with Parkinson's disease.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small study with only 10 participants. It is testing a new stimulation pattern, not a cure, and may not show clear benefits or work for everyone.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Parkinson disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PARKINSON DISEASE

Contacts and locations

Locations

UCSF

San Francisco, California, 94134, United States

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