Parkinson disease (PD) is a common disorder in which reduced speed of movement results from inadequate brain production of the chemical dopamine. The most effective treatment for Parkinson disease is the use of drugs that provide dopamine replacement therapy (DRT). However, as the disease progresses there are prominent DRT-resistant features of Parkinson disease that are a major source of disability. These include cognitive (attention, memory) impairments and gait disorders such as freezing and falls. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, holds promise for the study and treatment of motor and cognitive deficits in persons with Parkinson's. To date, there are no conclusive results regarding an optimal rTMS protocol for recovery of motor and cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease. This study is designed to promote clinical rehabilitation neuroscience research, and aims to improve rehabilitation in persons with Parkinson's with freezing of gait. This work will evaluate the use of a new accelerated, high dose, non-invasive brain stimulation method for treatment of freezing of gait in PD and will test how applying targeted accelerated stimulation to the brain improves gait disturbance due to PD.
* The proposed research will characterize how inter-individual brain and behavior differences (i.e., gait function behavior and fMRI functional connectivity) at baseline relate to the treatment response. * This knowledge will provide important information about how interventions can be personalized and optimized. * The work may increase understanding of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of neuromodulation for rehabilitation in patients with gait disturbances due to PD. * Impact: Results will provide insights into the effects of the neuromodulatory treatment on gait and motor dysfunction and could dramatically improve quality of life for patients with PD. The results also will (1) provide a mechanistic foundation for studies of therapeutic iTBS for PD patients, (2) evaluate novel stimulation targets, and (3) markedly condense the duration of treatment into a more manageable timeframe for patients. Our overall objectives in the current study are to: 1. To establish safety, feasibility, and tolerability of a high-dose, resting-state functional connectivity-guided iTBS 2. To elucidate the neural mechanism by which such a highly efficient and personalized stimulation approach leads to improvements in freezing of gait in PD. 3. To promote rehabilitation neuroscience research that expands current neuromodulatory methods 4. To increase understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying such neuromodulatory treatment The specific aims / hypotheses in the current study are: \- Aim 1: Demonstrate the safety, feasibility and tolerability of high-dose, accelerated, network targeted rTMS in the basal ganglia-cerebellar-motor network. Working hypothesis: The approach will be safe, feasible and well tolerated by the patients. \- Aim 2: Demonstrate preliminary efficacy of high-dose, accelerated, network-targeted rTMS on freezing of gait. Working hypothesis: The approach facilitates recovery in motor network dysconnectivity, and thereby will improve FOG after treatment compared to pre-treatment. \- Aim 3: Demonstrate modulation of functional connectivity aftereffects of high-dose, accelerated, network-targeted rTMS. Working hypothesis: Functional connectivity as assessed with fMRI will change after the high-dose, accelerated, functionally-guided stimulation treatment compared to pre-treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
A MagPro X100 magnetic stimulator with a 90mm figure-8 coil (MC-B70, MagVenture Inc.) will be used to apply rTMS to targeted locations marked on the structural MRI using a frameless infrared stereotactic neuronavigation system (Brainsight, Rogue Research).
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Participant perception of treatment acceptability
A study-specific questionnaire of rTMS treatment acceptability. Participants rate any perceived symptoms on a scale from 1 to 4 (none, mild, moderate, severe), with lower scores indicating better acceptability.
Time frame: up to six treatment days
Retention rate
Percentage of participants enrolled who completed the study.
Time frame: Change from Baseline prior to treatment and at follow-up within 1 week post-treatment
Percentage change in TUG test time to 48 hours and 14 days post-intervention
Time to complete the full TUG protocol.
Time frame: Change from Baseline; 48 hours post; 14 days post -intervention
Net changes in FOG-Q scores at 48 hours and 14 days post-intervention
Net changes in FOG-Q scores at 48 hours and 14 days post-intervention
Time frame: Change from Baseline; 48 hours post; 14 days post -intervention
Percentage change in accuracy to precision force-tracking task at 48 hours and 14 days post-intervention
Squared distance (error) from the cursor to the target in precision force-tracking task, estimated as the root mean squared error (RMSE).
Time frame: Baseline; 48 hours post; 14 days post -intervention
Changes in functional connectivity and BOLD signal in the basal ganglia-cerebellar-cortical network during resting state and task-based fMRI 7-10 days post-intervention
Basal ganglia-cerebellar-cortical network defined by BOLD change while subject performs the precision force-tracking task \*Optional
Time frame: Baseline; 7-10 hours post-intervention
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.