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Clinical Trials/NCT05509842
NCT05509842
Not yet recruiting
Not Applicable

High-dose Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation to Restore PD-induced Motor Network Dysconnectivity

University of Michigan1 site in 1 country20 target enrollmentSeptember 1, 2026

Overview

Phase
Not Applicable
Intervention
Not specified
Conditions
Parkinson Disease
Sponsor
University of Michigan
Enrollment
20
Locations
1
Primary Endpoint
Percentage change in TUG test time to 48 hours and 14 days post-intervention
Status
Not yet recruiting
Last Updated
6 months ago

Overview

Brief Summary

Parkinson disease (PD) is a common disorder in which reduced speed of movement results from inadequate brain production of the chemical dopamine. The most effective treatment for Parkinson disease is the use of drugs that provide dopamine replacement therapy (DRT). However, as the disease progresses there are prominent DRT-resistant features of Parkinson disease that are a major source of disability. These include cognitive (attention, memory) impairments and gait disorders such as freezing and falls.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, holds promise for the study and treatment of motor and cognitive deficits in persons with Parkinson's. To date, there are no conclusive results regarding an optimal rTMS protocol for recovery of motor and cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease. This study is designed to promote clinical rehabilitation neuroscience research, and aims to improve rehabilitation in persons with Parkinson's with freezing of gait. This work will evaluate the use of a new accelerated, high dose, non-invasive brain stimulation method for treatment of freezing of gait in PD and will test how applying targeted accelerated stimulation to the brain improves gait disturbance due to PD.

Detailed Description

* The proposed research will characterize how inter-individual brain and behavior differences (i.e., gait function behavior and fMRI functional connectivity) at baseline relate to the treatment response. * This knowledge will provide important information about how interventions can be personalized and optimized. * The work may increase understanding of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of neuromodulation for rehabilitation in patients with gait disturbances due to PD. * Impact: Results will provide insights into the effects of the neuromodulatory treatment on gait and motor dysfunction and could dramatically improve quality of life for patients with PD. The results also will (1) provide a mechanistic foundation for studies of therapeutic iTBS for PD patients, (2) evaluate novel stimulation targets, and (3) markedly condense the duration of treatment into a more manageable timeframe for patients. Our overall objectives in the current study are to: 1. To establish safety, feasibility, and tolerability of a high-dose, resting-state functional connectivity-guided iTBS 2. To elucidate the neural mechanism by which such a highly efficient and personalized stimulation approach leads to improvements in freezing of gait in PD. 3. To promote rehabilitation neuroscience research that expands current neuromodulatory methods 4. To increase understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying such neuromodulatory treatment The specific aims / hypotheses in the current study are: \- Aim 1: Demonstrate the safety, feasibility and tolerability of high-dose, accelerated, network targeted rTMS in the basal ganglia-cerebellar-motor network. Working hypothesis: The approach will be safe, feasible and well tolerated by the patients. \- Aim 2: Demonstrate preliminary efficacy of high-dose, accelerated, network-targeted rTMS on freezing of gait. Working hypothesis: The approach facilitates recovery in motor network dysconnectivity, and thereby will improve FOG after treatment compared to pre-treatment. \- Aim 3: Demonstrate modulation of functional connectivity aftereffects of high-dose, accelerated, network-targeted rTMS. Working hypothesis: Functional connectivity as assessed with fMRI will change after the high-dose, accelerated, functionally-guided stimulation treatment compared to pre-treatment.

Registry
clinicaltrials.gov
Start Date
September 1, 2026
End Date
January 1, 2028
Last Updated
6 months ago
Study Type
Interventional
Study Design
Single Group
Sex
All

Investigators

Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Michael Vesia, PhD

Assistant Professor, Movement Science

University of Michigan

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Parkinson disease (PD) with PD diagnosis based on the recent Movement Disorder Society criteria
  • PD subjects \>45 years and \<90 will be studied
  • H\&Y2-3 (early PD) subjects will be recruited
  • English speaker
  • Able to provide written consent prior to admission

Exclusion Criteria

  • The presence of other neurologic disease or neurologic findings on examination
  • Depression: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score \>11
  • Evidence of a stroke or mass lesion on prior structural brain imaging (CT or MRI)
  • Are younger than 45 or older than 90 years old
  • Non-English speaker
  • Are pregnant, suspect pregnancy or are attempting to become pregnant
  • Have a pacemaker, intracardiac lines or any other medically implanted device or medicine pump
  • Have cochlear hearing implants
  • Are taking GABAergic, NDMA-receptor antagonist, or other drug known to influence neural receptors that facilitate neuroplasticity
  • Have non removable body piercings or have foreign objects in body

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Percentage change in TUG test time to 48 hours and 14 days post-intervention

Time Frame: Change from Baseline; 48 hours post; 14 days post -intervention

Time to complete the full TUG protocol.

Participant perception of treatment acceptability

Time Frame: up to six treatment days

A study-specific questionnaire of rTMS treatment acceptability. Participants rate any perceived symptoms on a scale from 1 to 4 (none, mild, moderate, severe), with lower scores indicating better acceptability.

Net changes in FOG-Q scores at 48 hours and 14 days post-intervention

Time Frame: Change from Baseline; 48 hours post; 14 days post -intervention

Net changes in FOG-Q scores at 48 hours and 14 days post-intervention

Retention rate

Time Frame: Change from Baseline prior to treatment and at follow-up within 1 week post-treatment

Percentage of participants enrolled who completed the study.

Secondary Outcomes

  • Percentage change in accuracy to precision force-tracking task at 48 hours and 14 days post-intervention(Baseline; 48 hours post; 14 days post -intervention)
  • Changes in functional connectivity and BOLD signal in the basal ganglia-cerebellar-cortical network during resting state and task-based fMRI 7-10 days post-intervention(Baseline; 7-10 hours post-intervention)

Study Sites (1)

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