Could a gentle zap to the brain ease Parkinson's symptoms?
NCT ID NCT07534397
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study will test whether a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS can improve verbal fluency, thinking, and motor control in people with Parkinson's disease. Twenty participants aged 50-90 with Parkinson's and a verbal fluency deficit will receive the stimulation. The goal is to see if this approach can help with everyday tasks like speaking and moving.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-invasive, drug-free way to ease cognitive and motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage study (20 people) with no control group comparison yet. The effects may be small or not last, and tDCS may not work for everyone.
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 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2026
- Expected to finish
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Oct 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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50 to 90 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: * Diagnosed with PD having a verbal fluency deficit based on neuropsychological test (T-score \< 40 or a T-score \<-1.0 SD below the average T-score): Semantic Object Retrieval Test (SORT), COWAT (both letter and category fluency), Boston Naming Test (BNT), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) * 50 - 90 years old * Capable of understanding and signing an informed consent (able to answer consent comprehension questions) * Fluent in speaking and reading English Exclusion Criteria: A potentially study-confounding, tDCS-contraindicated, or EEG-contraindicated psychological, neuropsychiatric, neurological, or other medical issues: * Montreal Cognitve Assessment (MOCA) score \<23, unless an accompanying study partner/caregiver is with them and we can obtain the written consent of both the participant and the participant's accompanying study partner/caregiver (i.e., the participant's spouse, adult child, parent, or adult sibling); * history of seizures; * unexplained episodes of loss of consciousness (as these may be related to brain alterations or epilepsy); * suffering from severe or frequent headaches; * unstable or uncontrolled neuropsychiatric illness; * severe traumatic brain injury (based on the Ohio State TBI Identification; Method); * brain tumor; stroke; present drug abuse/misuse; * brain tumor; * serious or life-threatening diseases, including congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or active malignancy; * Huntington's disease; * stroke; * cranial implants or skull defects that affect tDCS administration; * implanted brain medical devices, including, deep brain stimulators (DBS); * implanted pacemakers; * any electrically, magnetically, or mechanically activated implants; * cardiac, neural, or medication implants; * vascular clips or other electrically sensitive support systems in the brain; * damaged skin at the sites of stimulation (the device should only be used on healthy, intact skin, as wounds may alter resistance to current); * skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis, or eczema; * pregnant women; * diagnosis of just dysarthria; Use of medications that interact with or potentially interact with tDCS or EEG effects: * anti-convulsants; * carbamazepine; * sulpiride; * pergolide; * lorazepam; * rivastigmine; * dextromethorphan; * D-cycloserine; * flunarizine; * ropinirole; * citalopram; * stimulants; Additionally, non-English speakers will be excluded because not all of the screening forms, questionnaires, and tests are available in languages other than English.
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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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Callier Clinical Center, The University of Texas at Dallas
RECRUITINGRichardson, Texas, 75080, United States
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