Modulating Dysfunctional Cerebellar Activity With Low-intensity Focused Ultrasound Stimulation for Primary Orthostatic Tremor
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 进行中（未招募）
- 入组人数
- 15
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Tremor frequency
研究概览
简要总结
Primary orthostatic tremor (POT) is a rare movement disorder that is manifested through high frequency tremor of weight bearing limbs. This is often accompanied by a debilitating sensation of falling. POT has been linked to abnormal activity of the cerebellum, a structure deep within the brain. However, established non-invasive brain stimulation techniques can only modulate brain activity and plasticity in superficial brain areas with low spatial resolution. This limits their efficacy when targeting the cerebellum. In contrast, low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS) is a novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique that permits stimulation with high spatial focality and can reach greater depth compared other methods. Therefore, LIFUS is well suited to modulate cerebellar activity and has the potential to be a superior technique for the management of POT. This study will investigate the effectiveness of MRI-guided bilateral cerebellar LIFUS stimulation for the treatment of POT and evaluate the underlying changes in brain circuits caused by the stimulation. Comparisons between symptoms and connectivity of brain circuits pre- and post-stimulation will be conducted to assess the effects of cerebellar LIFUS. The effects of real stimulation will also be compared to sham stimulation. This study is the first to apply LIFUS for neuromodulation in POT and will be critical in developing therapeutic LIFUS protocols.
详细描述
In the current study the investigators aim to assess the effects of low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS) on the symptoms of primary orthostatic tremor (POT) and on brain connectivity. LIFUS is a promising non-invasive brain stimulation technique that is actively being studied for its ability to reversibly modulate brain activity. By focusing the propagation of acoustic wave through the skull, a higher degree of spatial specificity and deep targeting can be achieved over other non-invasive stimulation methods such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS). Specifically, investigators will use LIFUS to stimulate the cerebellum bilaterally for 80s per hemisphere using a theta burst protocol that investigators have shown to induce plasticity. Investigators hypothesize that modulating cerebellar activity will decrease symptoms of POT and normalize the dysfunctional cerebello-thalamo-cortico network. 15 POT patients will be recruited to participate in 3 sessions in-lab. The first visit will involve an anatomical magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan. This will allow us to accurately target cerebellar lobule VIII and establish the appropriate parameters of LIFUS to effectively pass through the skull. In visits 2 and 3 participants will be seated in a comfortable chair and an anatomical MRI image will be used to position the LIFUS transducer over cerebellar lobule VIII bilaterally on surface of their head. In visit 2, clinical assessments of POT will be conducted through electromyography (EMG) recordings and video analysis of posture and sway. Symptoms prior to and after LIFUS will be compared. Investigators will compare the effects of real stimulation to a sham stimulation. In visit 3, Investigators will assess brain network activity using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) by employing an established paired-pulse paradigm. This method will allow us to establish the effects of LIFUS on the cerebello-thalamo-cortical network and determine how this related to changes observed in POT symptoms.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Na
- 干预模型
- Single Group
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 90 Years（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •18-90 years of age
- •Confirmed diagnosis of orthostatic tremor
排除标准
- •History of stroke or seizure
- •Comorbid dementia
- •Scored below 22 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
- •Has intracranial implant(s) or device(s)
- •Has an implanted cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
- •Has a previous surgical intervention to treat the movement disorder such as lesioning or a deep brain stimulation (DBS) system in place.
- •Presence of metal implanted in body that is contraindicated in TMS/MRI
- •Pregnancy
- •Major depression/psychiatric disorder that in the opinion of the Investigator will affect patient's understanding of study procedures and willingness to abide by all procedures during the course of the study
- •Is on antipsychotics, marijuana, or other recreational drugs that affect the nervous system
- •Major musculoskeletal or neuromuscular disease or disorder of the hands, wrists and limbs
- •Major systemic illness or infection
研究组 & 干预措施
Low Intensity Focused ultrasound
NeuroFUS device stimulation with 4 channel transducer Stimulation target = Cerebellum
干预措施: LIFUS Offline (Device)
Low Intensity Focused ultrasound
NeuroFUS device stimulation with 4 channel transducer Stimulation target = Cerebellum
干预措施: LIFUS Online Real (Device)
Low Intensity Focused ultrasound
NeuroFUS device stimulation with 4 channel transducer Stimulation target = Cerebellum
干预措施: LIFUS Online Sham (Device)
结局指标
主要结局
Tremor frequency
时间窗: 2 Years
The primary outcomes will consist of peak tremor frequency recorded from surface electromyography (EMG). The EMG electrodes will be placed on the skin, and electrical activity produced by muscle contractions will be recorded. From the recordings of EMGs, peak frequency will be extracted through statistical analyses.
Power spectral analysis
时间窗: 2 Years
Power spectrum recorded from surface electromyography (EMG). The EMG electrodes will be placed on the skin, and electrical activity produced by muscle contractions will be recorded. From the recordings of EMGs, power spectrum will be extracted through statistical analyses.
Orthostatic Tremor Severity and Disability Scale (OT-10)
时间窗: 2 Years
The Orthostatic Tremor Severity and Disability Scale (OT-10) is a self-administered 10-item scale that measures the severity and disability of orthostatic tremor. Each item is rated from 0-5, with higher scores representing worse outcome.
次要结局
- Standing time(2 Years)
- Assessment of body posture(2 Years)
研究者
Robert Chen
Senior Scientist
University Health Network, Toronto