Brain zap study reveals how DBS rewires walking in Parkinson's
NCT ID NCT06911229
First seen Jul 15, 2026 · Last updated Jul 16, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study investigates how deep brain stimulation (DBS) influences the brain's ability to adapt walking patterns and reduce freezing of gait in people with Parkinson's disease. Participants walk on a split-belt treadmill (one belt faster than the other) with their DBS turned on and off, while off medication. Researchers measure how quickly and completely step length adjusts, aiming to understand the brain circuits involved. The goal is to improve DBS therapy for better mobility.
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 (DBS) device
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could reveal how DBS affects walking and freezing episodes, potentially guiding better DBS settings to improve mobility.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational, early-stage study with only 60 participants, so results may not apply to all Parkinson's patients. It measures brain activity and walking patterns, not a new 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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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 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jul 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 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: * consensus diagnosis of idiopathic PD by fellowship trained movement disorders neurologists at the Normal Fixel Institute of Neurological Diseases; * chronically stable DBS, defined as having had DBS for at least 6 months in duration with optimized DBS settings; * Age between 18 - 80 years old per the FDA data sheet for PD DBS; * no dementia according to the clinical diagnostic criteria for PD dementia; * ambulatory without the use of walking aids, or another person's assistance. Exclusion Criteria: * other previous neurological surgery; * suspicion of other neurologic diagnoses such as atypical parkinsonism, or Alzheimer's disease.
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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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University of Florida
RECRUITINGGainesville, Florida, 32611, United States
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