Precision brain stimulation: which target best stops Parkinson's tremor?
NCT ID NCT07700862
First seen Jul 14, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) works better when aimed at the posterior subthalamic area (PSA) or the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for controlling tremor in people with tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease. Each participant will receive stimulation in both targets at different times to compare tremor control. The study uses a directional lead to focus the electrical pulses more precisely.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- directional deep brain stimulation
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could identify the best brain target for directional DBS to better control tremor in Parkinson's disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 32 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The procedure carries surgical risks and stimulation side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 32 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease * tremor-dominant subtype in the off-medication condition * modified Hoehn-Yahr scale of 2 to 4 in the off-medication condition * receiving regular anti-parkinsonian drugs for more than 6 weeks * good compliance and written informed consent provided Exclusion Criteria: * Atypical parkinsonism * History of stroke, encephalitis, neuroleptic uses, MRI scan with evidence of significant brain atrophy, lacunar infracts, or other conditions that might interfere with the intracranial surgery * Presence of cognitive, or psychiatric or other co-morbidities (e.g., dementia, epilepsy, cranial traumatism, brain tumor, schizophrenia, severe depression or bipolar disorder, personality disorder, etc.) that might interfere with the patient's ability to complete the evaluations or to provide informed consent * Presence of anatomical abnormalities in the target region * Clinically significant medical history that would increase pre-/post-operative complications * Other conditions considered by the investigators that might interfere with the surgery procedure, the follow-ups, and the interpretation of the data
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
RECRUITINGShanghai, 200025, China
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