Sound waves to stop shaking? early trial tests gentle brain ultrasound for tremor
NCT ID NCT07599592
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This early-phase study tests whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) can safely reduce tremors in people with essential tremor. Twenty adults will receive six non-invasive ultrasound sessions targeting a small brain area involved in movement. Researchers will measure tremor severity using motion trackers and rating scales before and after treatment, with follow-ups up to three months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-invasive, drug-free way to reduce hand shaking in essential tremor without surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small pilot study with only 20 people. It is designed mainly to check safety and feasibility, so it may not show clear benefit or lead to a treatment.
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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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
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 90 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: 1. Confirmed clinical diagnosis of ET 2. Isolated tremor syndrome, at least 3 years duration 3. Subjective complaint of tremor assessed and validated by physician 4. Must be willing to comply with the study protocol 5. English Proficiency 6. At least 18 years of age 7. At most 90 years of age Exclusion Criteria: 1. Severe microvascular disease or structural brain lesions equivalent to Fazekas scale of 3 or higher in the periventicular or deep white matter. 2. Subjects on blood thinning medications (e.g. Eliquis) 3. Recent stroke (within the last 6 months) 4. Implanted electrodes (e.g. DBS) in brain 5. History of aneurysm 6. History of cranial trauma resulting in fracture or traumatic brain injury 7. Subjects who are unable to cooperate with the testing. 8. Subjects who lack capacity to consent 9. Subjects with severe cardiac disease, increased intracranial pressure, or using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit. 10. Severe cardiac disease will be defined as any of the following: i) History of myocardial infarction within the past 6 months ii) Diagnosis of congestive heart failure with NYHA Class III or IV symptoms iii) History of unstable angina, life-threatening arrhythmias, or use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) iv) Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP \>180 mmHg or DBP \>110 mmHg) despite medication v) Any condition judged by the study physician to place the subject at increased risk from study participation 11. Subjects with implanted medical devices 12. Subjects with a history of seizure disorder. 13. Subjects with contraindications to enter MRI environment 14. Subjects with a history of substance abuse. 15. Subjects who are currently pregnant. This will be verified by a urine test prior to beginning the study.
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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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UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90024, United States
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- Can MRI reveal the Brain's response to deep brain stimulation?