Zapping tremors: radiation may offer new hope for Parkinson's and essential tremor patients
NCT ID NCT01734122
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study follows 60 people with essential tremor or Parkinson's tremor whose symptoms aren't well-controlled by medication. After receiving stereotactic radiosurgery—a precise dose of radiation to a small brain area—participants fill out questionnaires about their quality of life and tremor severity every 3 months for a year. The goal is to see if this non-surgical approach can meaningfully reduce shaking and improve daily functioning.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- stereotactic radiosurgery (focused radiation to the brain)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that radiosurgery improves quality of life and reduces tremor for people whose medication isn't enough.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, observational study with no comparison group, so results may not prove radiosurgery is better than other treatments. Risks include potential side effects from brain radiation.
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.
- Participants
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About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2013
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2029
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.
Who is studied
This trial enrolls persons with essential tremor or Parkinsonian tremor that is inadequately controlled by medications.
- 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: * Must be certified by a neurologist as having essential tremor or Parkinsonian tremor that is insufficiently controlled by medication alone. * Preference to receive radiation treatment for tremor treatment, rather than surgical DBS implantation or surgical thalamotomy * At least 18 years old Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindications to cranial radiation (such as prior radiation to the thalamus) * Inability to have a MRI of the brain * Prior surgical thalamotomy treatment (but contralateral deep brain stimulator \[DBS\] is permitted) * Estimated life expectancy less than 1 year
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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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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
RECRUITINGNashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
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