120 Participants Needed

Deep Brain Stimulation for Spasmodic Dysphonia and Tremor

Recruiting at 3 trial locations
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Kristina Simonyan, MD, PhD, Dr med ...
Overseen ByKristina Simonyan, MD, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 3 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial studies how Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) affects voice control in patients with dystonia and essential tremor. DBS sends electrical impulses to brain areas that manage movement, aiming to improve voice function in these patients. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been used to treat severe movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and essential tremor.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Deep Brain Stimulation for Spasmodic Dysphonia and Tremor?

Research shows that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can improve symptoms of spasmodic dysphonia (a voice disorder) and tremor. In a study, patients with both conditions experienced significant improvement, especially with stimulation on one side of the brain. This suggests DBS could be a promising treatment for these voice and movement disorders.12345

Is Deep Brain Stimulation generally safe for humans?

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been used for various movement disorders like Parkinson's disease, but it can have complications such as infections, lead migrations, and device malfunctions. Some patients may experience neurobehavioral effects, and in certain cases, serious complications like cerebral bleeds or device-related trauma may occur, requiring further surgery.678910

How is the treatment Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) different from other treatments for spasmodic dysphonia?

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is unique because it involves implanting electrodes in the brain to modulate neural circuits, offering a potentially long-lasting improvement for spasmodic dysphonia without the need for repeated injections like botulinum toxin A (BTX). Unlike BTX, which requires regular administration, DBS can provide continuous symptom relief and may address underlying neural pathways involved in the condition.12111213

Research Team

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Kristina Simonyan, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Massachusetts Eye and Ear

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-80 with voice disorders due to dystonia or essential tremor, who are candidates for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. Participants must be able to follow instructions, complete training, and give informed consent. They should not have obstructive venous anatomy, significant hearing loss, or inability to perform required tasks.

Inclusion Criteria

I can follow test instructions, complete training, and give informed consent.
I am between 18 and 80 years old.
I am approved for DBS surgery for my essential tremor or dystonia by a specialist team.

Exclusion Criteria

Your brain's veins could get in the way of placing electrodes during surgery.
I can understand and perform the tasks required in the study protocol.
I have significant hearing loss.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Surgery and Data Collection

Electrophysiological data collection during DBS surgery for patients with dystonia or tremor

1 day
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in voice and motor function using clinical rating scales

5 years

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Deep Brain Stimulation
Trial OverviewThe study aims to understand how often voice disorders occur in patients with dystonia and essential tremor treated with DBS. It will explore the changes in brain imaging and activity related to voice dysfunction before and after the treatment.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Electrophysiological signal data collectionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Patients diagnosed with dystonia or tremor who are recommended for DBS surgery. Electrophysiological data will be collected at the time of DBS surgery.

Deep Brain Stimulation is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

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Approved in United States as Deep Brain Stimulation for:
  • Essential tremor
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Dystonia
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Epilepsy
  • Chronic pain
  • Stroke-related motor deficits (under investigation)
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Approved in European Union as Deep Brain Stimulation for:
  • Essential tremor
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Dystonia
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Epilepsy
  • Chronic pain
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Approved in Canada as Deep Brain Stimulation for:
  • Essential tremor
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Dystonia
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Epilepsy
  • Chronic pain

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Lead Sponsor

Trials
115
Recruited
15,000+

UMASS Memorial Medical Center

Collaborator

Trials
4
Recruited
3,900+

University of Iowa

Collaborator

Trials
486
Recruited
934,000+

University of Utah

Collaborator

Trials
1,169
Recruited
1,623,000+

Massachusetts General Hospital

Collaborator

Trials
3,066
Recruited
13,430,000+

University of California, San Francisco

Collaborator

Trials
2,636
Recruited
19,080,000+

Findings from Research

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) shows promising results for treating spasmodic dysphonia (SD), with unilateral left thalamic stimulation providing significant clinical effects in a small trial of 6 right-handed patients.
In two patients with both essential tremor and SD, bilateral thalamic DBS led to the most improvement, but unilateral stimulation was also effective, suggesting that the treatment's efficacy may depend on the patient's handedness and the dominant hemisphere for speech.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Spasmodic Dysphonia: A Blinded Comparison of Unilateral and Bilateral Stimulation in Two Patients.KrΓΌger, MT., Hu, A., Honey, CR.[2021]
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has shown efficacy in treating vocal tremor, a challenging disorder, based on a review of literature from 2002 to 2011, indicating its potential as a treatment option.
Despite its effectiveness, DBS may be underutilized, and there is a need for collaboration among laryngologists, neurosurgeons, and other specialists to further investigate its safety and efficacy for voice disorders.
Deep brain stimulation for treatment of voice disorders.Hawkshaw, MJ., Sataloff, RT.[2012]
In a study of 128 patients with spasmodic dysphonia (SD) and 146 voice disorder controls, 26% of SD patients exhibited vocal tremor and 21% had nonvocal tremor, indicating a high prevalence of tremor in this population.
Patients with SD were found to be 2.8 times more likely to have tremor compared to the control group, highlighting the need for tremor evaluations in SD patients, especially since only 35% had previously consulted a neurologist for related issues.
Coprevalence of tremor with spasmodic dysphonia: a case-control study.White, LJ., Klein, AM., Hapner, ER., et al.[2021]

References

Deep Brain Stimulation for Spasmodic Dysphonia: A Blinded Comparison of Unilateral and Bilateral Stimulation in Two Patients. [2021]
Deep brain stimulation for treatment of voice disorders. [2012]
Coprevalence of tremor with spasmodic dysphonia: a case-control study. [2021]
Voice Improvement After Essential Tremor Treatment via Focused Ultrasound and Deep Brain Stimulation. [2023]
Voice-Related Outcomes in Deep Brain Stimulation in Patients with Vocal Tremor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2023]
Non-motor Adverse Effects Avoided by Directional Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease: A Case Report. [2022]
Complications in subthalamic nucleus stimulation surgery for treatment of Parkinson's disease. Review of 272 procedures. [2019]
Development of Unilateral Peri-Lead Edema Into Large Cystic Cavitation After Deep Brain Stimulation: A Case Report. [2022]
Characterizing Complications of Deep Brain Stimulation Devices for the Treatment of Parkinsonian Symptoms Without Tremor: A Federal MAUDE Database Analysis. [2023]
Critical reappraisal of DBS targeting for movement disorders. [2017]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Treatment of spasmodic dysphonia with a neuromodulating electrical implant. [2014]
Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia Improves with Bilateral Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation: Report of 3 Cases Done Asleep and Review of Literature. [2021]
13.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The effect of unilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation on the vocal dysfunction in a patient with spasmodic dysphonia: interrogating cerebellar and pallidal neural circuits. [2019]