View clinical trials related to Essential Tremor.
Filter by:This project aims to investigate novel ways to deliver brain stimulation to Essential Tremor (ET) patients by introducing software changes to their existing devices. The study team aims to investigate safety and efficacy of these new stimulation parameters in patients with ET.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) uses electrical pulses sent through a lead (insulated wire) to help stop unwanted symptoms in a variety of brain diseases, including the tremor seen in patients with Essential Tremor (ET). The current standard lead allows this stimulation to spread out uniformly in all directions. As these diseases progress, however, the amount of electrical stimulation required to stop the symptom usually increases. This may become problematic because the increased electrical stimulation required for advanced symptoms may spread outside the desired targeted area, and effect other parts of the brain and causing unwanted side effects. A new type of DBS lead has been developed which can steer, or focus, the electrical stimulation in a given direction toward the desired target area and away from areas that would cause side effects. We would like to quantify the benefit seen in patients who have been switched from the traditional lead to this new directional lead.
The goal of this study is to characterize biophysiolgoical signals as a comprehensive profile of the nervous systems in order to understand interactions between the brain and body, while an individual performs naturalistic behaviors (ex. walking, pointing) and while breathing at a slow controlled pace. The investigators aim to study these interactions among a variety of populations, from healthy individuals to those with disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder(s), including those who may also have an ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) diagnosis, Asperger's Syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease, and/or Fragile X syndrome
The primary objective of this study is to characterize real-world clinical outcomes of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) using retrospective review of de-identified patient records.
The objective of this prospective, multi-site, single-arm, open-label study is to capture the safety and efficacy (outcome) of bilateral staged Exablate treatment in subjects with bilateral medication-refractory essential tremor (ET). The staged second procedure will be performed at least 9 months after the first side. The benefit of real-time feedback will allow the physician to maximize benefit without jeopardizing safety. This study is designed as a prospective, open-label, single arm, multi-site study design.
In certain neurosurgical procedures, the use of a stereotaxic frame is required. It is then possible to set a precise target (depending of the type of the surgery) to be reached by the surgeon. The fixation of the stereotactic frame on the awake patient's head is done under local anesthesia by screwing the frame directly into the skull. This procedure is reported as "painful" to "extremely painful" by patients. The objective of this study is to determine whether the hypnosis is effective in decreasing the pain perceived by the patient during the disposal of the stereotactic frame.
Essential tremor (ET) is among the most common movement disorders, and is the most prevalent tremor disorder. It is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that results in increasingly debilitating tremor, and afflicts an estimated 7 million people in the US (2.2% of the population) and estimates from population studies worldwide range from 0.4% to 6.3%. ET is directly linked to progressive functional impairment, social embarrassment, and even depression. Intention (kinetic) tremor of the arms occurs in approximately half of ET patients, and is typically a slow tremor (~5-10Hz) that occurs at the end of a purposeful movement, and is insidiously progressive over many years. Based on direct and indirect neurophysiological studies, it has been suggested that a pathological synchronous oscillation in a neuronal network involving the ventral intermediate nucleus (Vim) of the thalamus, the premotor (PM), primary motor (M1) cortices, and the cerebellum, may result in the production of ET. In spite of the numerous therapeutic modalities available, 65% of those suffering from upper limb tremor report serious difficulties during their daily lives. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as an effective treatment option for those suffering from medically refractory ET. The accepted target for ET DBS therapy is the Vim thalamus. Vim projects to PM, M1, and supplementary motor areas (SMA) and receives afferents from the ipsilateral cerebellum. Moreover, electrophysiological recordings from Vim during stereotactic surgery have identified "tremor cells" that synchronously discharge with oscillatory muscle activity during tremor. Clinical and computational findings indicate that DBS suppresses tremor by masking these "burst driver" inputs to the thalamus. The overall goal is to investigate the neural signatures of tremor generation in the thalamocortical network by recording data during DBS implantation surgery. Investigators will record data from the macroelectrode implanted in the Vim for DBS therapy, and through an additional 6-contact subdural cortical strip that will be placed on the hand motor cortical area temporarily through the same burr hole opened for the implantation of the DBS electrode.
This is a monocentric, randomized, controlled, 2 arms, interventional, observer-blinded feasibility trial. Patients suffering from essential tremor (ET) will be treated with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). For the implantation of the DBS electrodes and the DBS system (Activa INS, Medtronic) patients will randomized either to conventional stereotactic surgery of thalamic/subthalamic region with short anesthesia or to MR-tractography guided stereotactic surgery with target point of the dentato-rubro-thalamic bundle (DRT) in general anesthesia. Patients will visit the study center at screening, baseline/neurosurgery, six and twelve months after neurosurgery.
The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in quality of life and degree of tremor for patients with essential tremor or Parkinsonian tremor who are treated by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). This is a questionnaire-based study. Please see Detailed Description below for more information.
Background: - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an approved surgery for certain movement disorders, like Parkinson's disease, that do not respond well to other treatments. DBS uses a battery-powered device called a neurostimulator (like a pacemaker) that is placed under the skin in the chest. It is used to stimulate the areas of the brain that affect movement. Stimulating these areas helps to block the nerve signals that cause abnormal movements. Researchers also want to record the brain function of people with movement disorders during the surgery. Objectives: - To study how DBS surgery affects Parkinson s disease, dystonia, and tremor. - To obtain information on brain and nerve cell function during DBS surgery. Eligibility: - People at least 18 years of age who have movement disorders, like Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Design: - Researchers will screen patients with physical and neurological exams to decide whether they can have the surgery. Patients will also have a medical history, blood tests, imaging studies, and other tests. Before the surgery, participants will practice movement and memory tests. - During surgery, the stimulator will be placed to provide the right amount of stimulation for the brain. Patients will perform the movement and memory tests that they practiced earlier. - After surgery, participants will recover in the hospital. They will have a followup visit within 4 weeks to turn on and adjust the stimulator. The stimulator has to be programmed and adjusted over weeks to months to find the best settings. - Participants will return for followup visits at 1, 2, and 3 months after surgery. Researchers will test their movement, memory, and general quality of life. Each visit will last about 2 hours.