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Cognitive Decline Following Deep Brain Stimulation: A DBS-fMRI Study

A Neural Basis for Cognitive Decline Following Deep Brain Stimulation: A DBS-fMRI Study

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06960096
Enrollment
55
Registered
2025-05-07
Start date
2025-08-21
Completion date
2028-04-01
Last updated
2025-10-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Deep Brain Stimulation, Parkinson Disease

Keywords

Brain, Parkinsons, deep brain stimulation, Cognitive

Brief summary

The objective of this research study is to understand how Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) affects cognitive networks in the brain, potentially leading to cognitive decline in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). A total of 55 participants with PD who have undergone DBS surgery will be recruited from MUSC's Clinical DBS Program. Participants will attend two post-DBS visits: a 3-hour visit for consent, demographic, and cognitive assessments, and a 3-hour DBS-MRI visit to evaluate brain network connectivity with stimulation ON and OFF. These findings will help improve patient selection for surgery and optimize the selection of stimulation targets that minimize undesirable cognitive side effects.

Detailed description

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a well-established surgical intervention to treat Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients with disabling motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Although this therapy is effective for motor complications, a subset of patients will go on to experience cognitive decline, which can overshadow improvements in the quality of life provided by STN-DBS. This accelerated decline in cognition occurs in patients despite rigorous evaluation of their neuropsychological status prior to surgery. While the factors contributing to cognitive decline following DBS remain unclear, there is evidence this may be the result of 1) limited cognitive reserve prior to DBS surgery, 2) stimulation that interferes with cognitive networks, and/or 3) a microlesion effect due to placement of the lead. This research seeks to identify how DBS-induced changes in neural connectivity contribute to cognitive decline and how brain microstructure influences these changes. Understanding how these factors has the potential to improve patient selection for surgery and optimize the selection of stimulation targets that minimize undesirable cognitive side effects.

Interventions

OTHERDBS combined with fMRI

Participants will undergo fMRI scanning while their DBS device is either turned OFF or ON. BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) changes in response to DBS will be evaluated across PD participants. These scans and DBS procedure will be used for research purposes only and are not for treatment or diagnostic purposes.

Sponsors

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
CollaboratorNIH
Medical University of South Carolina
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Subjects above 18 years of age * Individuals with a PD diagnosis as defined by the UK Brain Bank diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease (58) which have undergone a neurological and neuropsychological evaluation at MUSCs movement disorder center, and were selected to undergo 3T compatible unilateral or bilateral STN- DBS implants

Exclusion criteria

* Uncorrected visual or hearing impairments, as indicated by self-report * Individuals who are pregnant or expect to become pregnant during the course of the study * Individuals that have a history of neurological disease (other than PD) including previous stroke, major head trauma, and epilepsy or seizures. * Individuals with claustrophobia, or the inability to lie supine position in the MRI scanner * COPD with oxygen dependence * Non-MRI compatible metal implants (surgical clips or staples, cardiac pacemakers etc.)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in executive function performanceBaseline and approximately 1 year (10-14 months) following deep brain stimulationCognitive domains known to be affected by subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) will be evaluated using a standardized neuropsycholoical battery. A composite measure of tests within the executive function domain (task-switching, verbal fluency, and inhibitory control) will be assessed as the primary outcome measure for behavior.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Language and AttentionBaseline and approximately 1 year (10-14 months) following deep brain stimulationCognitive domains known to be affected by subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) will be evaluated using a standardized neuropsycholoical battery. A composite measure of tests within the language and attention domains will be assessed as secondary outcome measure for behavior.

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactRecruitment Coordinator
malakout@musc.edu843-792-0235

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026