Tiny brain probe reveals thinking secrets in Parkinson's patients
NCT ID NCT06778135
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study uses a tiny, high-density brain probe to record activity from thousands of neurons during awake brain surgery in 15 Parkinson's patients. The goal is to understand how different layers of the brain's cortex handle tasks like planning and decision-making. It does not test a new treatment but aims to gather knowledge that could inform future therapies.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could reveal how different brain layers support thinking and decision-making, potentially guiding future treatments for Parkinson's.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage study focused on measuring brain activity, not testing a treatment. It may not lead to any direct benefit for patients.
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 15 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2025
- Expected to finish
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Dec 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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45 to 85 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and refractory to medications requiring deep brain stimulation 2. Aged 45-85 3. Able to provide informed consent 4. Normal neuropsychiatric evaluation that includes tests of executive function demonstrating no greater than mild impairments, within expectation for Parkinson's disease. 5. Medically able to undergo deep brain stimulation surgery as evaluated by study neurosurgeon. 6. Surgical plan includes an entry point that can safely be placed in the dorsal lateral PFC. 7. Able to tolerate awake deep brain stimulation surgery with a plan for the case to be done awake. 8. Able to tolerate 25 additional minutes of awake surgery. 9. Able to participate and comply with tasks adequately, including instructions provided in English. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Moderate, or severe cognitive impairment as determined by a licensed neuropsychologist during routine neuropsychological evaluation. 2. Inability to tolerate awake surgery as determined by the treating neurologist and study neurosurgeon. 3. Inability to safely access the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex for an entry location. 4. Moderate or severe cognitive impairment or executive function deficits as determined by neuropsychological testing. 5. Evidence of a clinically significant abnormality on preoperative imaging.
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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 Colorado
RECRUITINGAurora, Colorado, 80045, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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