Active clinical trials for "Tremor"

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become the primary surgical therapy for the treatment of motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), and for essential tremor (ET). Although an effective and relatively safe procedure with expanding indications, opportunities exist for the optimization of the current procedure. The investigators therefore propose, in a group of patients undergoing DBS surgery for the treatment of PD or ET, to use a combination of high-field imaging modalities, intraoperative electrophysiology, external sensor interfaces, and computational modeling, to gather information on the utility of using these techniques to optimize DBS electrode placement and programming.

This study aimed to examine the relationship of quality of life with tremor severity and upper limb functionality in individuals with Parkinson's Disease. The differences between Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire, Nine-Hole Peg Test, grip and pinch strength values in the individuals with and without tremor in the study were investigated.

The purpose of this study is to collect kinematic motion data from subjects with movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET) to develop and validate algorithms for quantifying motor symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia (slowed movements), dyskinesias (sudden, involuntary movements), gait, and balance during standardized tasks and/or activities of daily living.

Investigators hypothesize that there are specific characteristic of each cognitive and motor condition that can be defined using brains scans.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a technique used to investigate activity in areas of the brain. The PET technique allows researchers to study the normal processes in the brain (central nervous system) of normal individuals and patients with neurologic illnesses without physical / structural damage to the brain. When a region of the brain is active, it uses more fuel in the form of oxygen and sugar (glucose). As the brain uses more fuel it produces more waste products, carbon dioxide and water. Blood carries fuel to the brain and waste products away from the brain. As brain activity increases, blood flow to and from the area of activity also increases. This is known as regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Knowing these facts, researchers can use radioactive water (H215O) and PET scans to observe what areas of the brain are receiving more blood flow. In this study researchers plan to investigate the changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) as patients participate in different activities. The activities are designed to stimulate the areas of the brain responsible for voluntary motor activity and sensation. By comparing the results of PET scans performed in different conditions, researchers can locate regions of the brain responsible for specific tasks. This study should provide new information about voluntary movements in humans and the preparation involved in controlling them.

The purpose of this protocol is to identify families with inherited neurologic conditions, especially movement disorders, to evaluate affected and unaffected individuals clinically, and to obtain blood samples for genetic analysis.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of a portable motion sensor-based system designed to monitor essential tremor (ET) to better prescribe therapy to minimize symptoms and expand care for ET patients.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an FDA approved, and widely used method for treating the motor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD), Essential Tremor (ET) and Dystonia. Over 100,000 patients worldwide have now been implanted with DBS devices. The DBS target regions in the brain are the Subthalamic nucleus (STN), the Internal Segment of Globus Pallidus (GPi), or the Ventral Intermediate Nucleus of the Thalamus (VIM). In order to place the DBS electrode in the target location, a combination of two 3D imaging techniques; 3D MRI and CT, are used. Data are also collected from individual nerve cells to help find the best location for the DBS electrode in each patient. This electrode recording takes place during the standard surgical implantation of the DBS electrode, and is part of the standard clinical technique. The investigators plan to collect additional data from populations of neurons during the DBS surgery in an effort to further improve the placement of the DBS electrode. These "Local Field Potentials", LFPs, represent the activity of the collection of neurons surrounding the tip of the electrode, and will be measured during surgery along the path used for the placement of the DBS electrode. The goal of this project is to determine whether this additional data from surrounding neurons will help with optimal placement of the DBS electrode.

This is part of a larger study for which participants have already completed memory and thinking tests. In this study, investigators are trying to learn how deep-brain stimulation affects memory skills in essential tremor (ET) patients. We are especially trying to figure out how stimulation on each side of the brain may affect working memory.

Patients with tremor may have varying degrees of tremor at different times. The amplitude and frequency of tremor may change. The investigators observational study is intended to document this tremor.