Clinical Trials for Movement Disorders

For information about patients' participation in the following clinical trials, contact the Department of Neurological Surgery at 415.353.7500

Movement Disorders

Use of Interventional MRI for the Placement of Deep Brain Stimulators for Movement Disorders.In this surgical technique trial, patients undergoing deep brain stimulaton have the devices implanted using real-time MR imaging in a 1.5 Tesla high-resolution MRI unit. Patients are under general anesthesia throughout the procedure.

Basal ganglia physiology in humans undergoing surgery for movement disorders. In this study, electrical recordings made in the operating room to confirm correct electrode replacement are analyzed later in our laboratory to better understand electrical activity in the brains of persons with movement disorders.

Dystonia

Treatment of generalized dystonia with globus pallidus deep brain stimulation. The UCSF center for movement disorders surgery has treated over 75 dystonia patients with deep brain stimulation. In this study, we follow clinical effectiveness of DBS after implantation, to determine the outcome of this procedure in relation to dystonia type and programming settings.

Treatment of craniocervical dystonia with subthalamic nucleus pallidus deep brain stimulation. Patients with dystonia that primarily affects the neck and face can benefit from the “standard” surgery, DBS of the globus pallidus. However, DBS at an alternative surgical target, the subthalamic nucleus, may offer improved symptom control with few side effects in some patients. We are conducting a pilot trial of subthalamic stimulation in craniocervical dystonia, funded by the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation.

Essential Tremor

Treatment of essential tremor with a novel DBS device. We are testing a new deep brain stimulation device in patients with essential tremor. The device is based on constant current, a theoretical advantage over the constant voltage devices currently available.