A Randomized Trial of Deep Brain Stimulation of the Globus Pallidus or Subthalamic Nucleus for Parkinson's Disease
 
This clinical trial is a joint UCSF-San Francisco Veterans Affairs Hospital Medical Center study and is part of the largest formal clinical trial of deep brain stimulation (DBS) currently taking place in North America. The full study is 6-center trial jointly funded by the Department of Veteran's Affairs and the National Institutes of Health. The technical approach involves magnetic resonance (MR)-based stereotaxy and microelectrode recordings to map the borders of the surgical target area.
 
Use of Interventional MRI for the Placement of Deep Brain Stimulators for Movement Disorders
 
In this study, patients undergoing subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulaton have the devices implanted using real time MR imaging in a 1.5 Tesla high resolution MRI. Patients are under general anesthesia throughout the procedure.
 
Intrastriatal Infusion of AAD-AADC (adeno associated virus expressing aromatic amino acid decarboxylase) for Parkinson's Disease
 
In this Phase I investigational study, a modified viral vector expressing the gene for aromatic amino acid decarboxylase is injected stereotactically into the area of the brain (striatum) which is deficient in this enzyme.
 
Instrastriatal infusion of AAV-neurturin (adeno-associated virus expressing a gene encoding a dopaminergic growth factor) for Parkinson's disease
 
In this Phase II investigational study, a modified viral vector expressing the gene for neurturin is injected stereotactically into the area of the brain (striatum) which is deficient in dopamine nerve endings.
 
Basal ganglia physiology in humans undergoing surgery for movement disorders
 
In this study, electrical recordings made in the operating room to confirm correct electrode replacement are analyzed later in our laboratory to better understand electrical activity in the brains of persons with movement disorders.
 
Treatment of essential tremor with a novel DBS device
 
We are testing a new deep brain stimulation device in patients with essential tremor. The device is based on constant current, a theoretical advantage over the constant voltage devices currently available.
 
Treatment of dystonia with deep brain stimulation
 
The UCSF center for movement disorders surgery has treated over 70 dystonia patients with deep brain stimulation. In this study, we follow clinical effectiveness of DBS after implantation, to determine the outcome of this procedure in relation to dystonia type and programming settings.
 
For more information, contact the UCSF Center for the Surgical Treatment of Movement Disorders: 415.353.7500