Deep Brain Stimulation clinical trials at UCLA
5 in progress, 4 open to eligible people
DBS of the SCC for the Treatment of Medically Refractory CLBP
open to eligible people ages 40-75
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of deep brain stimulation of the subgenual cingulate cortex for the treatment of chronic medically-refractory low back pain using a randomized double-blind crossover design.
Los Angeles, California and other locations
Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy for Epilepsy Post-Approval Study (EPAS)
open to eligible people ages 18 years and up
The purpose of this post-approval study is to further evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of Medtronic DBS therapy for epilepsy on seizure reduction in newly implanted participants through 3 years of follow-up.
Los Angeles, California and other locations
Modulation of Hippocampal Circuitry and Memory Function With Focused Ultrasound in Amnestic MCI
open to eligible people ages 50-90
This study is a proof of concept/proof of mechanism study addressing the hypothesis that Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound Pulsation (LIFUP) targeting the entorhinal cortex can (A) successfully target and increase activity in the entorhinal cortex and functionally connected brain regions (B) improve connectivity of memory networks (C) improve memory for information (D) have a dose-dependent effect on memory and brain activity. A secondary objective is to determine the relationship between blood-based AD biomarkers and LIFUP treatment outcomes, and the relationship between magnitude of HC volume decline and LIFUP treatment outcomes.
Los Angeles, California
Deep Brain Stimulation of the Amygdala for Combat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
open to eligible males ages 25-70
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 30 % of American veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Although the current therapy is effective, a percentage of patients will fail to improve and will develop chronic treatment-resistant PTSD. Patients suffering from PTSD experience intense suffering, lack of productivity and a higher risk of suicide. Unfortunately, combat PTSD has a tendency to be resistant to current treatments. The central goal of this project is to develop a new therapeutic strategy involving the placement of intracranial electrodes to treat the symptoms of PTSD. The project is based on recent evidence showing abnormal activity in a specific brain region of PTSD patients, thought to be responsible for the core symptoms of PTSD.
Los Angeles, California
Deep Brain Stimulation With LIFUP for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer's Disease
Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients
The purpose of the proposed study is to determine the feasibility of brief brain stimulation, using a device called Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound Pulsation (LIFUP), for persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild (early-stage) Alzheimer's disease (AD). As a secondary aim, the investigators will explore whether this brief intervention is associated with improvements in cognitive functioning immediately and one week following the intervention. Subjects will be randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups: either the LIFUP administration will be designed to increase the activity of neurons in a certain part of the brain or decrease the activity of neurons. The investigators will study up to 8 subjects with MCI or mild AD. Initially, subjects will undergo a screening assessment with a study physician to determine medical and psychiatric history, establish AD diagnosis, and undergo a blood draw, if standard recent labs for dementia and EKG are unavailable. Subjects that meet criteria and agree to participate in the study will undergo a follow-up visit. In the baseline measurement visit, participants will first undergo neuropsychological testing. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two LIFUP pulsing paradigms. Participants will then be administered four successive LIFUP treatments while the participants are in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sixty minutes following the administration, participants will undergo a second neuropsychological test. A final follow-up assessment will be administered at one week.
Los Angeles, California
Our lead scientists for Deep Brain Stimulation research studies include Susan Y Bookheimer, PhD Ausaf Bari Dawn Eliashiv.
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