Electrical Stimulation for Depression in Parkinson's Disease
(LVESDIPP Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether a special type of brain stimulation, called Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (mgTDCS), can improve depression in people with Parkinson's Disease. Researchers aim to determine if this method can reduce feelings of depression and apathy and enhance memory skills. The study also seeks to assess whether it can improve the brain's electrical activity, often imbalanced in depression. Ideal candidates are those diagnosed with Parkinson's, experiencing significant depression, and able to visit a psychology department for sessions. As an unphased trial, this study offers patients the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that could lead to new treatment options for depression in Parkinson's Disease.
What prior data suggests that this electrical stimulation technique is safe for patients with Parkinson's Disease?
Research has shown that Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is generally well-tolerated by people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Studies have found that this technique can help reduce depression in PD patients, with many experiencing improved mood and cognitive abilities. For example, one study reported a noticeable improvement in both mood and daily activities after tDCS treatment.
In terms of safety, these studies reported no serious side effects, suggesting that tDCS is a relatively safe option for treating depression in PD patients. Additionally, as a non-invasive procedure, it does not involve surgery or medication, often reducing the risk of complications.
Overall, the research supports the safety of tDCS, with only minor side effects like tingling or mild headaches reported by some participants. These findings offer a hopeful outlook for those considering tDCS as a potential treatment.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for depression in Parkinson's disease because it offers a non-invasive approach to treatment. Unlike standard treatments like medication or deep brain stimulation, tDCS uses a gentle electrical current applied to the scalp to potentially modulate brain activity, which could improve mood and cognitive function. This method is appealing because it avoids the side effects commonly associated with medications and is less invasive than surgical options. Plus, the possibility of delivering targeted brain stimulation with minimal discomfort makes it an attractive alternative for patients seeking new options.
What evidence suggests that Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation might be an effective treatment for depression in Parkinson's Disease?
This trial will evaluate the effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on depression in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Studies have shown that tDCS can reduce depression in PD patients, with some research suggesting improvements in mood and movement problems. Evidence also indicates that tDCS might enhance overall thinking and mental skills in these patients. However, results vary, with some studies showing improvement and others not finding significant changes. Despite this, researchers believe tDCS, which uses gentle electrical stimulation to the brain, helps by altering brain activity patterns related to depression. Participants in this trial will receive either active tDCS or sham stimulation to assess its effectiveness.12678
Who Is on the Research Team?
John Shelley-Tremblay, PhD
Principal Investigator
2514606883
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants undergo 15 sessions of MRI-guided Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (mgTDCS) over 4-5 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in depression, working memory, and quality of life post-treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (mgTDCS)
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation will be administered in a high definition anodal montage at 2 milliamps with anode over T3 (adjusted for each participant) and cathode in an equidistance ring around it with 4 return electrodes. There will be 13 minutes of active stimulation followed by a twenty minute delay, followed by 13 minutes of stimulation. Participants in the pilot study will be administered 2 mA of current at a steady state with a 30 second ramp-up and ramp-down period at the beginning and end of each 13 minute stimulation interval.
For the sham TDCS condition, 10 participants will receive receive sham tDCS consisting of 30 seconds of ramp-up and then the amperage will be reduced to 0 for the remainder of the session.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of South Alabama
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation on ...
Conclusion: tDCS demonstrated substantial efficacy in enhancing overall cognition in patients with PD. The efficacy of tDCS was obvious in ...
Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on ...
The results revealed a reduction in depression scores among PD patients following tDCS. Potential mechanisms through which tDCS may alleviate depression in PD ...
Transcranial direct current stimulation for Parkinson's disease
One study (33%) found significant improvements after stimulating the sensorimotor cortex, whereas the other two studies (66%) detected no ...
The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) ...
Study Overview. Brief Summary. Depression is common in Parkinson's disease (PD), but the effective treatment is not established yet. tDCS ...
Transcranial direct current stimulation of the prefrontal ...
The results of this study show that tDCS acting on the mPFC helps to improve PD-related depression, which involves the modulation of excitability and AMPA ...
6.
frontiersin.org
frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1495492/fullEfficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation on ...
tDCS demonstrated substantial efficacy in enhancing overall cognition in patients with PD. The efficacy of tDCS was obvious in executive function, language, ...
Efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic ...
The efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for Parkinson disease patients with depression. Int. J. Neurosci., 130 (1) (2020), pp. 19-27.
The Therapeutic Effect of Transcranial Direct Current ...
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain modulation technique and has been demonstrated to improve psychiatric diseases such as ...
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