Scientists watch brain activity during Parkinson's surgery to unlock movement secrets

NCT ID NCT05166655

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study records brain activity in 40 Parkinson's patients during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. While awake, patients perform movement tasks with sensory or motivational cues. The goal is to understand how the brain improves movement with these cues, which could guide future treatments for symptoms like freezing of gait.

What this could mean

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

What this could lead to: If successful, this could identify brain signals that future therapies could target to improve movement in Parkinson's patients who don't respond to current treatments.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage observational study during surgery, not a treatment trial. The findings may not lead to new therapies or may not apply to all patients.

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

University of California Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States

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