Neurophysiology of the Basal Ganglia, Thalamus, and Cerebellum in Patients With Movement Disorders

Purpose

The research study is being conducted to better understand parts of the human brain called the cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebellum in patients with movement disorders (such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, or ataxia). These brain structures are involved in movement disorders. This study attempts to better understand the brain electrical activity associated with these disorders, both in patients with and without deep brain stimulation (DBS). Recordings are made from the scalp with a noninvasive electrode and/or through the DBS stimulator if the participant has a stimulator model that is able to sense brain activity. These recordings are analyzed along with measures of movement disorder symptoms to identify brain signal signatures of symptoms.

Condition

  • Movement Disorders

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Patients 18 years of age and above - Any patient who has been diagnosed by a movement disorders neurologist with one of the following movement disorders: - Parkinson's disease - Dystonia - Tremor, including essential tremor - Cerebellar ataxia - Other hyperkinetic movement disorders, such as chorea and tics

Exclusion Criteria

  • Patients with dementia

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
Single (Participant)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Participants without Deep Brain Stimulators 		Multimodal neurophysiology (for example, electroencephalography and electromyography) will be measured during the following: Movement disorder medication administration -The patient's movement disorders medications, prescribed by their treating physicians outside of this study, may be administered during an experimental session.
  • Other: Prescribed Medications
    participant's movement disorders medications, prescribed by their treating physician
Experimental
Participants with Deep Brain Stimulators 		Multimodal neurophysiology (for example, electroencephalography and electromyography) will be measured during the following: Movement disorder medication administration -The patient's movement disorders medications, prescribed by their treating physicians outside of this study, may be administered during an experimental session. Deep brain stimulator (DBS) adjustment - Participants who have had deep brain stimulation implantation as part of their standard-of-care clinical treatment may participate in this study. The patient's stimulator may be adjusted within normal clinical limits during an experimental session.
  • Other: Prescribed Medications
    participant's movement disorders medications, prescribed by their treating physician
  • Other: Deep brain stimulation adjustment
    Deep brain stimulator parameters may be adjusted within normal clinical limits

Recruiting Locations

Pennsylvania Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
Contact:
Charlotte Abeshaus
215-746-4850
Charlotte.Abeshaus@PennMedicine.upenn.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Pennsylvania

Study Contact