Study Rationale:
A major challenge in Parkinson’s treatment is the management of levodopa-induced dyskinesias. A promising approach is offered by non-invasive neuromodulation techniques. We recently introduced a new neuromodulation technique — transcranial-static-magnetic-field-stimulation (tSMS) — that is compatible with deep brain stimulation and safe. We therefore propose to investigate the potential of tSMS as a novel approach to manage levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease.
Hypothesis:
Our central hypothesis is that using tSMS to decrease the pathologically high excitability of the motor cortex in Parkinson’s disease will decrease levodopa-induced dyskinesia.
Study Design:
This project is composed of three parts:
- Confirm that tSMS reduces motor cortex excitability in patients with Parkinson’s disease
- Investigate whether tSMS reduces the dyskinesia-dependent rhythmic pattern that can be recorded in the brains of Parkinson’s patients
- Perform a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind clinical trial to test the hypothesis that tSMS of the motor cortex improves levodopa-induced dyskinesia in people with Parkinson’s disease.
Impact on Diagnosis/Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease:
Due to the inexpensive and portable nature of tSMS, the envisioned application of the therapy will be in the comfort of the patients’ home, offering a practical and extremely cost-effective therapy for levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease.
Next Steps for Development:
tSMS is already at the clinical development stage. A successful outcome of the proposed plan would lead to the immediate implementation of a larger Phase II clinical trial.
Trial Phase: II