Realtime fMRI neurofeedback training of SMA in pre-op DBS-STN patients

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Realtime fMRI neurofeedback training of SMA in pre-op STN-DBS patients

  • IRAS ID

    155456

  • Contact name

    Jinendra Ekanayake

  • Contact email

    jineks7@gmail.com

  • Sponsor organisation

    University College London

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    UCL Data Protection Registration Number, Z6364106/2015/09/10

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    3 years, months, days

  • Research summary

    This study is based on using ‘real time’ functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in patients with Parkinson’s disease. This technique allows visualisation of activity from selected brain regions, as they are being generated (i.e. in ‘real time’). This activity can be shown to the patients during scanning, and they can then learn to control it e.g. to increase brain activity. This approach is known as ‘neurofeedback’.

    Using neurofeedback, we aim to change functioning of a brain region involved in Parkinson’s disease, to improve symptoms including motor ability. Another aim is to determine whether neurofeedback can help improve deep brain stimulation (DBS).

    Patients undergoing DBS will be invited to participate in the study. There will be several groups. The ‘Experimental’ group will undergo four days of neurofeedback training during fMRI scanning. After training, they will engage in ‘homework’ to practice the strategies that they used to control their brain activity. This will be performed in the time prior to DBS surgery.

    The second ‘Control’ group will undergo the same procedure. They will undergo neurofeedback training during scanning, although the activity they will attempt to control will have been previously recorded from another participant.

    For further investigation of the effects of neurofeedback in the brain, these two groups will also undergo a different type of brain scanning known as magnetoencephalography (MEG) and local field potential recordings.

    A third patient group not undergoing surgery will undergo an identical schedule to the Experimental group.

    All patients will undergo a clinical assessment to measure their motor ability and they will also perform a simple finger-tapping task. These tests will be used to assess whether neurofeedback has a positive effect on motor symptoms.

    All patients will be followed up at six months, with further clinical assessment and MEG scanning to look for prolonged effects of neurofeedback.

  • REC name

    London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    15/LO/1647

  • Date of REC Opinion

    5 Nov 2015

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion