Brain zaps aim to spark motivation in Parkinson's patients
NCT ID NCT06087926
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS can help with apathy—a common lack of motivation—in people with Parkinson's disease. Sixty participants will receive TMS to two different brain areas on separate visits and perform a task where they choose between easy and hard work for money. Researchers will measure changes in effort and brain signals to see if this approach could lead to a new treatment for apathy.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new, non-drug way to treat apathy in Parkinson's disease, improving motivation and quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with only 60 people, comparing two brain areas. It's testing a short-term effect on a lab task, not real-world improvement, and may not lead to a lasting 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 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2024
- 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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55 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: * Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson Disease. * At least 4 years of symptoms. * On dopaminergic medication for Parkinson Disease. * Stable on dopaminergic medication and other medications which may influence apathy (such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, stimulant medications) for at least 4 weeks prior to first study visit and remain stable throughout the study period. * Hospital's study-specific informed consent must be obtained. * Must have capacity to provide informed consent in English. * For female participants, confirmation that they have not had a menstrual period in over 12 months, or that they will use an effective form of contraception during the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to provide informed consent. * Inability to perform effort task (determined during the titration session). * Presence of dementia (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score \< 21). * History of epilepsy or brain surgery. * Severe tremor or dyskinesia that would interfere with EEG (determined by the PI). * Patients with clinically significant medical or neurological conditions which may be an alternative cause of parkinsonism such as repeated brain injury, anti-dopaminergic medications, anoxic brain injury, or significant basal ganglia strokes. * Presence of other known central nervous system disease that may interfere with performance or interpretation of EEG or TMS. * Presence of any implanted metal devices including, but not limited to, pacemakers, deep brain stimulators, vagal nerve stimulators, bladder stimulators, or cochlear implants. * Presence of medical contraindications to TMS such as implanted stimulators, history of mania or bipolar disorder, history of epilepsy.
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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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UNC-Chapel Hill, Cassidy Lab
RECRUITINGChapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
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