Sound waves aimed at the brain: new hope for Parkinson's?
NCT ID NCT06763692
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early study will test whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) can safely stimulate a brain region in people with Parkinson's disease. Fifteen participants will receive a single session of LIFU. The main goal is to check for side effects, with a secondary look at whether it affects eye movement tasks related to brain function.
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 focused ultrasound (LIFU) device
- What this could lead to
- If safe and tolerable, this could point toward a non-invasive way to improve brain function in Parkinson's disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early feasibility study with only 15 people, so it may not show clear benefits or may have unexpected side effects.
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.
- Expected to start
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Dec 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2028
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 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: * Males and non-pregnant females aged 45 - 80 years at time of enrollment. * Able and willing to give informed consent. * Diagnosis of probable idiopathic Parkinson's disease by United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease * Clinical diagnosis based on the Level II Movement Disorder Criteria and an FAQ less than or equal to 9. * If on medication for the treatment of PD, or other medications for any other underlying medical conditions, must be on a stable dose for ≥4 weeks prior to Screening. * Willing to not receive DBS or any other approved or experimental surgical or medical therapy for PD during the study period. * Males and non-pregnant females aged 45 - 80 years at time of enrollment. * Able and willing to give informed consent. * Diagnosis of probable idiopathic Parkinson's disease by United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease * Clinical diagnosis based on the Level II Movement Disorder Criteria and an FAQ less than or equal to 9. * If on medication for the treatment of PD, or other medications for any other underlying medical conditions, must be on a stable dose for ≥4 weeks prior to Screening. * Willing to not receive DBS or any other approved or experimental surgical or medical therapy for PD during the study period. Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to undergo MR-imaging because of non-MR compatible implants (e.g., pacemakers, medication pumps, aneurysm clips, metallic prostheses (including metal pins and rods, heart valves or cochlear implants), shrapnel fragments, permanent make-up or small metal fragments in the eye that welders and other metal workers may have), or if candidates are uncomfortable in small spaces (have claustrophobia). * Active or chronic infection/inflammation * Acute or chronic hemorrhages, specifically any lobar microbleeds with GRE and no siderosis or macro hemorrhages * Tumor/space occupying lesion anywhere in the brain * Participants who are unable or unwilling to lay flat and tolerate the required prolonged stationary position during treatment (approximately 2-3 hours). * Participants with more than 30% of the skull area traversed by the sonication pathway are covered by scars, scalp disorders (e.g., eczema), atrophy of the scalp, or implanted objects in the skull or the brain. * Participants with known unstable cardiac status or uncontrolled hypertension * History of any clinically significant neurological disorder or procedure (e.g., brain surgery for Parkinson's disease, tumors, uncontrolled epilepsy, or any others deemed clinically significant by the investigator). * Participant who has had deep brain stimulation or a prior stereotactic ablation of the basal ganglia, or thalamus. * Currently participating in another clinical investigation with an active treatment arm or participated in any experimental therapy (drug or biologic or device) within 3 months prior to Screening. * Use of any medications that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may contribute to cognitive impairment, put the participant at higher risk for AEs, or impair the participant's ability to perform cognitive testing or complete study procedures.
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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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