RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06899022

Attention and Eye Movement in Parkinson's Disease

Investigating the Role of Attention in Perceptual and Cognitive Consequences of Parkinson's Disease


Sponsor

University of Nebraska

Enrollment

138 participants

Start Date

Sep 22, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Summary

The goal of this observational and interventional study is to understand how therapeutic deep brain stimulation (DBS) affects attention, perception and cognition in participants with Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does impaired control of attention and eye movement in PD alter how social cues are perceived and interpreted? * Does therapeutic DBS improve or worsen attentional and perceptual deficits for social cues in PD and ET? * Can DBS be optimized to restore normal attentional control in PD while remaining an effective therapy for other aspects of the disorder. * What do parts of the brain targeted by DBS contribute to the control of attention? Using an eye tracking camera, investigators will study how participants with PD and ET look at and perceive facial expressions of emotion before and after starting DBS therapy, in comparison to a group of healthy participants without ET, PD or DBS. Participants with PD and ET will see and rate morphed facial expressions on a computer screen in three conditions: * Before starting DBS therapy (over approximately 1 hour). * In the operating room, during the standard procedure to implant DBS electrodes, while the participant is awake (for no more than 15 minutes). * After starting DBS therapy, with brief experimental changes of DBS stimulation level and frequency (over approximately 1 hour).


Eligibility

Min Age: 19 YearsMax Age: 90 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is examining how attention and eye movement are affected in people with Parkinson's disease or essential tremor, particularly in relation to deep brain stimulation (DBS) — a treatment that uses electrical impulses delivered by an implanted device to reduce tremors and other motor symptoms. Researchers want to understand how DBS affects how the brain processes visual attention, which could help improve how DBS is programmed and used. **You may be eligible if...** - You are between 19 and 90 years old - You have a diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease or essential tremor - You are scheduled for DBS device implantation (for study parts involving surgery) OR you already have a DBS device and are willing to participate in computer-based tasks - Healthy adults matched by age may also be eligible as comparison participants **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You are unable to perform computer-based tasks using a button press or mouse - You are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent - Certain surgical parts require you to be able to remain awake and responsive during the DBS implantation procedure - You have conditions that would prevent safe participation in the study tasks or procedures Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

OTHERNormal therapeutic DBS

Participants will receive deep brain stimulation delivered at the clinically determined therapeutic frequency and current over approximately 20 min.

OTHERReduced current DBS

Participants will receive deep brain stimulation delivered at the clinically determined therapeutic frequency and reduced (50%) current over approximately 20 minutes.

OTHERReduced frequency DBS

Participants will receive deep brain stimulation delivered at the clinically determined therapeutic current and reduced (4 Hz) frequency over approximately 20 min.


Locations(1)

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

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NCT06899022


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