Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores the impact of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on individuals with certain conditions by analyzing past patient records. DBS involves implanting a device that sends electrical signals to the brain, helping manage symptoms of conditions such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor (uncontrollable shaking), and dystonia (muscle contractions). The trial aims to understand the real-world effects of this treatment for each condition. Individuals previously treated with or eligible for a DBS system might be suitable participants. As an unphased trial, this study provides an opportunity to contribute to understanding DBS's impact on various conditions.
Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that Deep Brain Stimulation is safe for Parkinson's Disease, Essential Tremor, and Dystonia?
Research has shown that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is generally safe for treating movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Studies have found that DBS can improve movement in people with Parkinson's, though it might slightly increase hospital visits if patients are not carefully selected. Most reported side effects are mild and manageable.
For essential tremor, DBS has improved symptoms and quality of life. Common side effects include speech difficulties, numbness, mild weakness, and headaches, but these are usually mild.
In dystonia, DBS is considered safe and effective, providing significant improvements in quality of life. Over 20 years of experience supports the long-term safety of DBS for these conditions.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is unique because it directly targets brain regions responsible for movement disorders like Parkinson's Disease, Essential Tremor, and Dystonia, offering a more tailored intervention than broadly acting medications such as levodopa or propranolol. Unlike standard drug therapies that can have widespread effects and diminishing returns over time, DBS provides continuous electrical stimulation, which can be adjusted to the patient's specific needs, potentially leading to better symptom control. Researchers are excited about DBS because it allows for real-time modulation of brain activity, which could improve motor function and quality of life for patients who don't fully respond to medications.
What evidence suggests that Deep Brain Stimulation is effective for Parkinson's Disease, Essential Tremor, and Dystonia?
This trial will evaluate Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for various conditions. Research has shown that DBS effectively treats Parkinson's Disease, with studies finding significant movement improvement, with some patients experiencing a 49–71% reduction in symptoms. For participants with Essential Tremor, DBS significantly reduces tremors, aiding in better movement control. In those with Dystonia, DBS has improved muscle control and reduced involuntary movements, easing daily activities. Overall, DBS offers a valuable treatment option for these conditions, providing hope for symptom relief and improved quality of life.678910
Who Is on the Research Team?
Natalie Bloom Lyons
Principal Investigator
Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Retrospective Review
Retrospective review of de-identified patient records to characterize real-world clinical outcomes of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Deep Brain Stimulation
How Is the Trial Designed?
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Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Subjects with Parkinson's disease, implanted with a Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation System
Subjects with Essential Tremor, implanted with a Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation System
Subjects with dystonia, implanted with a Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation System
Deep Brain Stimulation is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
- Essential tremor
- Parkinson's disease
- Dystonia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Epilepsy
- Chronic pain
- Stroke-related motor deficits (under investigation)
- Essential tremor
- Parkinson's disease
- Dystonia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Epilepsy
- Chronic pain
- Essential tremor
- Parkinson's disease
- Dystonia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Epilepsy
- Chronic pain
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Boston Scientific Corporation
Lead Sponsor
Michael F. Mahoney
Boston Scientific Corporation
Chief Executive Officer since 2016
MBA from Wake Forest University, BBA in Finance from the University of Iowa
Kenneth Stein
Boston Scientific Corporation
Chief Medical Officer since 2020
MD from Harvard Medical School, MMSc in Clinical Investigation from Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology
Citations
Long-term outcomes following deep brain stimulation for ...
Conclusions: DBS for PD is associated with a 10-year survival rate of 51%. Survey data suggest that while DBS does not halt disease progression ...
Five-Year Outcomes from Deep Brain Stimulation of the ...
This cohort study evaluates 5-year outcomes and safety of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson disease.
3.
ufhealth.org
ufhealth.org/news/2025/uf-led-study-shows-deep-brain-stimulation-benefits-for-parkinsons-patientsUF-led study shows deep brain stimulation benefits for ...
“DBS used to be seen as a last resort, but we now know it provides the most sustained benefit when offered in the moderate stages of Parkinson's ...
An update on best practice of deep brain stimulation in ...
Initial data on STN DBS showed an impressive improvement of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor subscore (UPDRS-III), by 49–71%, and a marked ...
Global improvement after deep brain stimulation in ...
Among 51 PD patients, CGI rated 21 as “very much improved,” 21 “much improved,” and 9 “minimally improved,” primarily based on MDS-UPDRS III reduction.
Quality of life outcomes after deep brain stimulation in ...
However, the main outcome index of most studies was the improvement of motor function, and few studies recorded nonmotor symptoms in dystonia. A ...
Real-world outcomes of Deep Brain Stimulation for dystonia ...
This international dystonia outcomes registry aims to collect and evaluate real-world clinical data derived from patients who have been implanted with a ...
8.
frontiersin.org
frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2021.757579/fullDeep Brain Stimulation Treating Dystonia: A Systematic ...
GPi-DBS and STN-DBS were both safe to perform and efficacious, and both resulted in excellent improvement in the quality of life of patients with dystonia.
Deep Brain Stimulation
The movement disorders field now has more than two decades of experience and data regarding the long-term safety and efficacy of DBS. DBS is a neuromodulation ...
Deep Brain Stimulation in Patients With Dystonia (STN DBS)
Objectives of this study are to evaluate the safety and efficacy of STN DBS for dystonia. Up to twenty-five patients will be screened, consented, and enrolled ...
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