Can brain stimulation sharpen Decision-Making in Parkinson's?
NCT ID NCT01845883
First seen Aug 04, 2026 · Last updated Aug 05, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study investigates how the brain makes decisions when visual information is uncertain, focusing on the roles of the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Researchers will compare healthy adults with patients who have Parkinson's disease, dystonia, or cerebellar damage, and will test whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) or certain medications affect decision-making performance. Participants perform a visual task while their brain activity is influenced by DBS (on/off) or medication status. The goal is to understand the neural mechanisms behind perceptual choices under uncertainty, which could inform future treatments for these conditions.
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) - a procedure that uses implanted electrodes to deliver electrical pulses to specific brain areas.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this research could clarify how the basal ganglia and cerebellum support decision-making under uncertainty, potentially guiding future treatments for Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and ataxia.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage observational study with a small number of participants, so findings may not apply broadly. DBS carries risks such as infection, bleeding, or device-related complications.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Neuroscience Research Building
Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
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