RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07446192

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Pilot Study

Network Characteristics in Essential Tremor (ET) Patients Undergoing High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HiFU): a Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Pilot Study

Sponsor

University of Florida

Enrollment

10 participants

Start Date

Feb 17, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Essential Tremor

Summary

The purpose of this research is to learn more about how the brain works in people with essential tremor, and how it changes after treatment with High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HiFU). Essential tremor is a movement disorder that causes shaking, usually in the hands, and can make everyday tasks difficult. HiFU is a treatment that uses focused sound waves to target a small area in the brain involved in tremor. In this study, the investigators aim to understand how this treatment affects the brain's networks by using safe, non-invasive tests such as brain imaging, brain wave recordings, and movement assessments.

Eligibility

Min Age: 50 YearsMax Age: 84 Years

Inclusion Criteria3

Age >50 years and <85 years
Refractory to at least 2 first line tremor medications
Skull Density Ratio (SDR) > = 0.35

Exclusion Criteria4

MR/MEG incompatible implants and implantable devices (ex: pacemaker)
Head tremor interfering with MEG recording
Severe depression and/or anxiety
Severe cognitive impairment

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Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTMRI and fMRI scans

functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, anatomical MRI

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTMEG

non-invasive electrophysiological technology that provides high temporal and spatial resolution to examine large-scale cortical dynamics.

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTSensor-based motor assessments

research-grade wearable sensors equipped with gyroscopes and accelerometers to precisely and accurately quantify patients' tremors. These sensors will be worn on the wrist or finger, capturing data as patients perform standardized tremor assessment tasks, such as spiral drawing task, writing task, commonly used in essential tremor evaluation. Gait and balance assessments will be conducted by synchronizing multiple sensors placed on the upper and lower extremities as well as the midline. Gait and balance data will be collected during tasks such as the 7-meter walk test, 360-degree turn test, and postural sway.

OTHERClinical evaluations

vital signs, health status review, and neurological exam.

OTHERQuestionnaires and rating scales that

daily functioning, mood, memory, and tremor