Brain implant reads and stops freezing episodes in Parkinson's patients

NCT ID NCT06642519

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION Disease control Sponsor: University of Toronto Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests a brain-computer interface that records brain activity and delivers stimulation to stop freezing of gait in people with Parkinson's disease. Ten participants who are already scheduled for deep brain stimulation surgery will have an additional electrode placed on the brain's surface. The device will first learn to detect brain signals linked to freezing episodes, then deliver targeted stimulation to prevent them.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: brain stimulation via electrocorticography (ECoG) and brain-machine interface
What this could lead to: If it works, this could lead to a new way to treat freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease by using brain stimulation triggered by the patient's own brain signals.
What could go wrong: This is a very small early study with only 10 people, so results may not apply to everyone. The approach is complex and may not work in real-world settings.

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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.

FREEZING OF GAIT SYMPTOMS IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE PARKINSON DISEASE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Movement Disorders Centre - Toronto Western Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada

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