Sound waves aimed at the brain: a new way to treat movement disorders?
NCT ID NCT06232629
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study explores whether low-intensity ultrasound can safely and precisely stimulate deep brain regions in people with Parkinson's disease or dystonia. Ten participants who already have deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants will receive ultrasound pulses while researchers record brain activity from the implants. The goal is to understand how ultrasound affects brain signals, not to treat symptoms directly.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) via NeuroFUS device
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a noninvasive way to adjust brain activity in movement disorders, potentially reducing the need for invasive surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study (10 people) focused on safety and brain signals, not treatment effects. It may not lead to any clinical benefit, and ultrasound effects on deep brain areas are still uncertain.
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
-
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 10 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2023
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
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 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: 1. Adult patients with movement disorders (diagnosed by a movement disorder specialist) 2. Implantation of a Percept PC DBS system at least one month before the sonications 3. Stable dopaminergic medication dose for a minimum of 4 weeks Exclusion Criteria: 1. Concomitant neurological conditions (stroke, seizure, dementia, major depression / psychiatric disorders, active drug abuse/addiction and major neuromuscular/musculoskeletal diseases) 2. Declined cognitive scores (MoCA score \< 22) 3. Implants (cardiac pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, intracranial devices other than DBS system such as shunts and MR- unsafe devices) 4. History of intracranial lesioning procedures 5. Major systemic illness, infection or pregnancy
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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
-
Toronto Western Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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