Smarter brain stimulation may give Parkinson's patients more good hours each day
NCT ID NCT06891781
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests a new adaptive brain stimulation system that adjusts in real time, compared to standard constant stimulation, for people with Parkinson's disease. About 104 participants will try both modes for three months each to see which gives them more good-quality ON time without involuntary movements. The goal is to improve daily symptom control while keeping the treatment safe.
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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 104 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Aug 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
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 years and older
- 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 Subjects who meet all of the following criteria may be given consideration for inclusion in this clinical trial: 1. Is willing and capable of signing informed consent 2. Is ≥18 years old 3. Has been diagnosed with levodopa-responsive idiopathic Parkinson's disease 4. Has a Hoehn and Yahr (H\&Y) scale stage of II or III when OFF medication at screening 5. Exhibits motor fluctuations and PD-related symptoms that are not adequately controlled with medication, including motor complications of recent onset (\>4 months duration) 6. Has been referred for bilateral STN DBS in accordance with local practice 7. Must be a good surgical candidate for placement of a deep brain stimulator as judged by the DBS surgical team 8. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of ≥ 26 at the Baseline/Screening visit (when in "MedsON" state) 9. UPDRS-III improvement by ≥30% with the levodopa challenge test as measured at approximately 90 minutes following administration of the challenge dose 10. ≥4 hours per day (waking hours) with poor motor symptoms control (time "OFF" plus time "ON" with dyskinesia) despite optimal medical therapy, as assessed by the 3-day diary (at preop baseline) 11. Subject successfully completed a test diary reaching a sufficient level of agreement (\>75%) with study personnel responses and is willing and capable of completing a 3-day diary at each of the time points required per the protocol 12. If female, subjects who are not currently pregnant as determined by negative serum pregnancy test, breastfeeding, or who are post-menopausal, surgically sterile or willing to use birth control for the duration of the study (acceptable forms of birth control are: hormone therapies (oral, injected, transdermal or implanted), IUD or other barrier methods (e.g., condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, spermicide/gel) or partner is surgically sterile 13. Subject maintained a constant anti-PD medication treatment (best medical management, as duly documented) for at least 2 weeks prior to Baseline assessments 14. Subject is willing and able to attend all study-required visits, complete the study procedures and attend appropriate follow up visits EXCLUSION CRITERIA The subject must not meet any of the following exclusion criteria: 1. Has contraindications for DBS surgery, including any intracranial abnormality (e.g., generalized atrophy, vascular malformation, hydrocephalus, hematoma, cavernous or venous angioma, tumor or metastases, midline shift, etc.) or metallic implant (e.g., aneurysm clip, cochlear implant, etc.) or other clinically significant space-occupying lesion which in the opinion of the surgeon would impact the ability to target and place the leads or IPG 2. Is not on a stable dose of levodopa anti-Parkinson's disease medication for at least 2 weeks prior to Screening/Baseline assessments 3. Has any current major psychiatric disorder(s), such as Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar I or II disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Delusional Disorder, Brief Psychotic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or any other current psychiatric condition that in the opinion of the investigator would confound the assessment of study endpoints, prevent proper data collection and/or compromise the subject's ability to participate, based on the psychiatric/psychological assessment at screening. (It is permitted if a subject has a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder with symptoms that currently are well-controlled and managed by a stable regimen of antidepressants for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the screening visit). Includes current moderate or severe alcohol and/or substance use disorder based on the psychiatric/psychological assessment at screening. 4. A history of suicide attempt within 3 years of the screening visit or current active suicidal ideation as determined by a psychiatric/psychological evaluation 5. Any medical condition, such as cognitive impairment, dementia, seizures, congestive heart failure, unstable angina, uncontrolled diabetes, renal failure requiring dialysis, or any other severe medical condition that could interfere with study procedures, confound the assessment of study endpoints, prevent proper data collection, or that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the subject's ability to participate 6. Confirmation of diagnosis of a terminal illness associated with survival \<12 months 7. Needs repeated MRI scans 8. Requires diathermy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 9. Has an electrical or electromagnetic implant (e.g., cochlear prosthesis, pacemaker, neurostimulator, etc.) or plans to obtain, an active implanted medical device (AIMD) and/or an implanted medication pump (e.g., DUOPA™ infusion pump) and/or is treated with a portable infusion pump for any indication 10. Is on anticoagulant therapy which cannot be paused for \>5 days before surgery 11. A history of cranial surgery including ablation procedure or any other previous neurosurgical procedure for the treatment of PD symptoms on either side of the brain 12. Is currently participating in another clinical study (excluding any sub-study of the present trial). The sponsor will not grant waivers or protocol exceptions to any inclusion or exclusion criteria. Safety of subjects is the utmost concern and will be prioritized at every stage throughout this protocol.
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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 official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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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.
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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