Neural basis of neuropsychiatric symptoms in PD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Defining and manipulating the neural basis of hypoactive and hyperactive behaviours in Parkinson’s disease.
IRAS ID
268941
Contact name
Lucia Ricciardi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint Research and Enterprise Office (JRES), St George's University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a very common degenerative disease of the brain, affecting 1% of the population over the age of 60. PD compromises the control of voluntary movement and causes symptoms such as tremor, slowness of movements and stiffness. Beside these well-known movement symptoms, people with PD commonly experience a number of “non-motor” symptoms including changes in mood and behavior such as depression, anxiety, lack of motivation (apathy) and impulsive behaviour. In recent years these symptoms have emerged as an important focus for clinical assessment and research since they are very disabling for people with PD and their families. We still do not understand enough about the mechanism of these symptoms, and treatment options are very limited.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a common therapy for treating motor symptoms in PD. This treatment involves inserting electrodes into a specific part of the brain (most often the subthalamic nucleus). Recording from these electrodes provides a unique opportunity to study the neural activity of various brain structures. Previous research studies using this technique have led to major advances in understanding how motor symptoms are caused and have led directly to developments in therapy.
In our study, we aim to identify brain networks that underlie mood and behavioural disturbance in people with PD. We will then see if we can modulate these networks using particular patterns of deep brain stimulation.
People with PD newly implanted with deep brain stimulation electrodes will be included in the study. The data gathered will include performance at computer tasks probing apathy and impulsive behavior and recordings from the brain electrodes (local field potentials and EEG). We hope that this work will help us understand how these disabling symptoms arise and might help us develop better treatments.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0849
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion