Parkinson's Disease
Conditions
Brief summary
This research will help us to understand whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can safely improve recovery of speech and language abilities, gait , and mood in people with Parkinson's disease and related disorders. Some of the disorders that will be studied to understand if tDCS can be useful include Parkinson's Disease, Multi-System Atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
Interventions
DEVICEtDCS
tDCS will be applied with a Soterix CT tDCS Device with a HD-tDCS 4x1 Multi-Channel Stimulation Interface. During stimulation, a low level of constant DC electrical current (1-2 mA) will be applied via the electrodes. Current will be ramped up over 10-60 seconds, and typically causes very mild tingling and itching sensations. The current will be applied for no more than 20 minutes per session, at which time the current is ramped down over 10-60 seconds. Subjects will be seated in a chair throughout tDCS administration. Subjects will receive tDCS 5 days/week for 4 weeks.
Sponsors
Ferrell Family Charitable Foundation
Georgetown University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Parkinson's disease or a related disorder (e.g. Multiple Systems Atrophy) as diagnosed by a neurologist specializing in Movement Disorders * Age \>= 18 years
Exclusion criteria
* Skull defect at or near site of tDCS delivery. * History of a significant stroke or traumatic brain injury. * History of other brain conditions that could impact interpretation of results (such as MS, brain tumor, encephalitis). * Presence of implanted electrical or metallic devices in the head or body (examples include cardiac pacemakers or defibrillators, Baclofen pumps, deep brain stimulators, ventricular shunts with metallic parts, vagus nerve stimulators) * Presence of ferrous metal in the head (except titanium; for instance shrapnel) * History of psychiatric disease requiring hospitalization, electroconvulsive therapy, or ongoing medication use (other than common antidepressants) * Pregnancy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Improvement of Motor and Speech Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease or Related Disorders | 16 weeks | We will perform an assessment of motor function using Part III of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), timed test of gait, and patient self-assessment. Speech functions will be assessed with sentence repetition,evaluation of spontaneous speech, and other standard language tests. The assessment will also include other measures and questionnaires (e.g. Bech Depression Inventory) to be filled out by the patient and his/her family. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Improvement of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease or Related Disorders | 16 weeks |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed