---
title: Improve cognition and motor function
nct_id: NCT05307055
phase: NA
status: RECRUITING
sponsor: University of Southern California
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT05307055"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05307055"
last_fetched: "2026-05-10T14:06:30.816Z"
source: "Parkinson's Pathways (curated)"
---
# Improve cognition and motor function

**Goal (in five words):** Improve cognition and motor function

**Official Title:** Theta Burst Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Cognitive and Motor Improvements in Parkinson's Disease

**Trial ID:** [NCT05307055](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05307055)

## Key Facts

- **Phase:** NA
- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Sponsor:** University of Southern California
- **Target Enrollment:** 40 participants
- **Start Date:** 2022-01-11
- **Completion Date:** 2029-08-31
- **Conditions:** Parkinson Disease
- **Interventions:** STN DBS - Theta Burst, STN DBS - Gamma
- **Intervention Types:** DEVICE

## Summary For Families

The goal is to see whether a theta burst pattern of stimulation to the subthalamic nucleus can improve thinking and movement in people with Parkinson's compared with a gamma pattern. The approach uses already-implanted bilateral STN deep brain stimulators and reprograms them to deliver short bursts at theta frequency, which aims to nudge brain rhythms linked to cognition and motor control; this is a device programming change, not a new drug, and meds like levodopa are kept stable so the stimulation’s effect is tested on top of usual therapy. The study is enrolling adults 18 and older who already have bilateral STN DBS, have had stable Parkinson medications for at least three months, can consent and attend follow-ups, and excludes those with a history of seizures, dementia, or major substance abuse.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Sex:** ALL

### Full Criteria

```
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female patients who had previously undergone bilateral STN deep brain stimulation implantation
2. Age \>18 years old
3. Stable medication regimen for at least 3 months.
4. Patient informed and able to give written consent
5. Able to comply with all testing, follow-ups and study appointments and protocols

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of epilepsy or seizure
2. History of dementia
3. History of major substance abuse
```

## Locations (1)

- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States _(34.0522, -118.2437)_
  - Darrin Lee — (CONTACT) — 949-522-0866 — Darrin.Lee@med.usc.edu
  - Wooseong Choi — (CONTACT) — 8474017335 — wooseong@usc.edu

## Central Contacts

- Darrin Lee, MD PhD — (CONTACT) — 9495220866 — darrin.lee@med.usc.edu
- Wooseong Choi, BS — (CONTACT) — 8474017335 — wooseong@usc.edu

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT05307055*  
*HTML version: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT05307055*  
*Source data: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05307055*