RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

FMRI-neurofeedback in Parkinson's Disease

This research is looking at a new approach called 'neurofeedback' for people with Parkinson's disease. Current treatments for Parkinson's, like medications or brain surgery, don't always work perfectly or can have side effects. This study aims to train your brain to control certain areas linked to movement, using a special type of MRI scan (fMRI) that gives you live feedback. Participants will learn to use mental imagery to 'turn up' activity in specific brain regions over four sessions. The goal is to see if this training can improve motor symptoms, offering a gentle, non-invasive potential treatment that patients could even practice at home.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Maastricht University Medical Center

Enrolment target

Start

10 Feb 2025

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2026

Parkinson Disease

What is this study about?

This study is exploring a new way to help people with Parkinson's disease, particularly those for whom current treatments like medicines or deep brain stimulation (DBS) aren't enough or aren't suitable. While these treatments are very helpful for many, this research proposes a different approach that doesn't involve drugs or surgery.

It focuses on something called 'neurofeedback'. Imagine being able to see a live picture of your brain activity and then learning how to change it, almost like learning to play a video game. In this study, a special type of MRI scan called fMRI allows researchers to watch your brain activity in real-time. You'll be taught to use mental imagery – for example, imagining yourself moving – to increase activity in certain parts of your brain that are involved in movement. The fMRI machine will provide instant feedback, showing you if you're successfully making those brain changes.

The main goal is to see if this brain training can improve the movement problems often experienced by those with Parkinson's. If successful, this could offer a new, gentle, and non-invasive way for people to better manage their symptoms, potentially even allowing them to continue practicing these beneficial brain exercises at home.

Key takeaways

This study explores brain training (neurofeedback) for Parkinson's motor symptoms.
It uses a special fMRI scan to give live feedback on brain activity.
Aims to find a non-drug, non-surgical way to manage Parkinson's.
Involves four two-hour sessions over one month, plus home practice.
Considered a low-risk study with potential to improve movement.
Participants continue their regular Parkinson's medication.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you need a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Your Parkinson's should be in the early to middle stages, specifically stages 1 to 3 on a scale called the Hoehn and Yahr Scale. You also need to be at least 18 years old.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For instance, if you have certain medical devices or metal in your body that make MRI scans unsafe, or if you have a history of serious mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or psychosis.

Also, the study cannot include people who currently use illegal drugs, drink too much alcohol, or have memory or thinking problems that would make it hard to follow the study instructions. The research team will check all these points carefully to ensure the study is safe and effective for everyone involved.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
My Parkinson's is in an early to middle stage (Hoehn and Yahr 1-3).
I am 18 years old or older.
I do not have any metal implants or conditions that prevent me from having an MRI scan (like a pacemaker).
I don't have a history of serious mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or psychosis.
My memory and thinking skills are good enough to follow study instructions.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be asked to come to a research facility for four separate sessions, each lasting about two hours. These sessions will be spread out over approximately one month. During each session, you'll spend about an hour inside an MRI scanner. While in the scanner, you'll be guided through exercises where you imagine moving, and you'll receive visual feedback on your brain activity.

In between these clinic visits, you'll also be asked to practice the mental imagery exercises at home every day. This is to help you get better at 'self-regulating' your brain. There's no specific medication involved in this intervention, but you would continue your usual Parkinson's medication. The study will assess your motor symptoms before and after these sessions to see if the training has made an improvement. The total duration of active participation, including all sessions and home practice, would be about one month with follow-up assessments.

Potential risks and benefits

This study is considered low-risk. The main things you'll need to do are spend time at the research centre and undergo MRI scans, which are generally very safe. There are no known serious risks associated with neurofeedback itself. The potential benefit is that this training might help improve your movement symptoms from Parkinson's disease, offering a new way to manage your condition without drugs or surgery. However, there's no guarantee it will work for everyone. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (2)

Uniklinik Köln
Verified postcode
Cologne, Germany· Not yet recruiting
Maastricht University
Verified postcode
Maastricht, Netherlands· Recruiting

Common questions

What is neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a gentle training method where you learn to control your own brain activity, often with the help of real-time displays from machines like MRI scanners.

Is this a new treatment for Parkinson's?

This is a research study to see if neurofeedback could become a new treatment. It's not yet a standard treatment, but we hope to learn if it's effective.

Will I feel anything during the MRI scan?

You won't feel anything from the fMRI itself, but it can be noisy, and you will need to lie still. The researchers will make sure you are comfortable.

Do I have to stop my current Parkinson's medication?

No, you will continue to take your regular Parkinson's medications throughout the study, as this intervention is meant to be supplemental.

How long will my involvement in the study last?

Your active participation, including all brain training sessions, will take place over approximately one month.

How to find out more

David EJ Linden, Prof.

david.linden@maastrichtuniversity.nl +31 43 3881021 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.