The Role of Cerebellar Hyperactivity in Parkinson's Disease
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Parkinsons Disease |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 2/17/2019 |
| Start Date: | January 28, 2015 |
| End Date: | September 2017 |
Stimulating the Little Brain to Make Big Steps: Improving Gait in Parkinson's Disease Patients by Non-invasive Electrical Stimulation of the Cerebellum.
Gait and balance disturbances are one of the most incapacitating symptoms of Parkinson's
disease (PD) (Boonstra et al. 2008). They can cause falls and are therefore associated with
the negative spiral of (near) falls, fear of falling, fractures, reduced mobility and social
isolation; hence, having a profound negative impact on quality of life (Lin et al. 2012).
Originally, symptoms of PD were ascribed to dopamine deficiency and basal ganglia dysfunction
(Wu et al. 2013). However, in the last decades it has become clear that other brain
structures are also involved in the pathophysiology of PD (Snijders et al. 2011; Stefani et
al. 2007). An intriguing, emerging insight is that the cerebellum may be involved in the
pathophysiology of PD (Wu et al. 2013). That is, the cerebellum is hyperactive in PD patients
during different motor tasks (Yu et al. 2007; Hanakawa et al. 1999; del Olmo et al. 2006).
However, whether cerebellar hyperactivity is pathological or compensatory and how it affects
gait and balance in PD patients remain open questions. Here, the investigators aim to
elucidate the role of the hyperactive cerebellum in gait dysfunction in PD patients by
modulating cerebellar excitability with state-of-the-art non-invasive brain stimulation
techniques and investigate the effects on gait.
disease (PD) (Boonstra et al. 2008). They can cause falls and are therefore associated with
the negative spiral of (near) falls, fear of falling, fractures, reduced mobility and social
isolation; hence, having a profound negative impact on quality of life (Lin et al. 2012).
Originally, symptoms of PD were ascribed to dopamine deficiency and basal ganglia dysfunction
(Wu et al. 2013). However, in the last decades it has become clear that other brain
structures are also involved in the pathophysiology of PD (Snijders et al. 2011; Stefani et
al. 2007). An intriguing, emerging insight is that the cerebellum may be involved in the
pathophysiology of PD (Wu et al. 2013). That is, the cerebellum is hyperactive in PD patients
during different motor tasks (Yu et al. 2007; Hanakawa et al. 1999; del Olmo et al. 2006).
However, whether cerebellar hyperactivity is pathological or compensatory and how it affects
gait and balance in PD patients remain open questions. Here, the investigators aim to
elucidate the role of the hyperactive cerebellum in gait dysfunction in PD patients by
modulating cerebellar excitability with state-of-the-art non-invasive brain stimulation
techniques and investigate the effects on gait.
The cerebellum plays an important role in generating well-coordinated locomotion, voluntary
limb movements and eye movements (Morton et al. 2004). It is particularly important for
balance and limb coordination needed to generate a stable gait pattern (Morton et al. 2006).
Specific roles of the cerebellum for gait include coordinating the two legs to produce a
stable rhythmic pattern, dynamic regulation of balance, and adaptation of the pattern through
practice (Morton et al. 2004). Though the core deficits of PD patients are largely different
than those of cerebellar patients, they do show decreased bilateral coordination (Plotnik et
al. 2008) and a fundamental disturbance in stride length regulation (Morris et al. 1998)
during walking.
Recent work has shown that the cerebellum is hyperactive in PD patients, though it is not
known whether this activity is compensatory (i.e. reduces motor impairments) or pathological
(i.e. causes motor impairments). One idea is that increased cerebellar activity, affecting
cerebral motor areas, compensates for the reduced drive from the basal ganglia (Wu et al.
2013). Alternatively, it is possible that cerebellar hyperactivity is pathological, as recent
work suggests that cerebellar activity may be partially responsible for the generation of
Parkinsonian tremor (Helmich et al. 2012). One approach to answer this question is to use
non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to decrease the activity of the cerebellum in PD
patients and determine if they improve or worsen their gait pattern.
Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are able to alter the excitability of
brain pathways. Applying these techniques over the motor cortex, improved motor function in
different patient groups, including stroke and PD (Benninger et al. 2010). Only two studies
have investigated the effect of modulation of cerebellar-motor cortex excitability on motor
function in PD patients. That is, 1 Hz repetitive TMS (inhibitory rTMS) over the cerebellum
improved gross arm movements, but worsened fine motor skills17. Furthermore, a two-week
continuous theta burst stimulation TMS protocol decreased levodopa-induced dyskinesias (Koch
et al. 2009). These studies only investigated the effects on the upper extremities. The
cerebellum is also hyperactive during gait (Hanakawa et al. 1999; del Olmo et al. 2006), but
whether modulation of cerebellar excitability can improve gait deficits in PD patients is
currently unknown.
Non-invasive brain stimulation can also be used to study the connection between the
cerebellum and the motor cortex via using paired-pulse TMS. Specifically, cerebellar
stimulation 5 ms before motor cortex stimulation leads to a reduction in the amplitude of
motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), a phenomenon referred to as cerebellar-brain inhibition (CBI)
(Pinto et al. 2001). This measure of CBI is abnormal in PD patients—it is reduced at rest,
but increases with muscle contraction (Ni et al. 2010).
Gait impairments in PD are often resistant to treatment, particularly as the disease
progresses. Therefore, insight in the pathophysiology of gait disturbances is essential for
improving treatment options and quality of life for PD patients. This study will answer the
question of whether cerebellar hyperactivity alleviates or worsens gait deficits in PD
patients. If cerebellar hyperactivity in PD is compensatory, anodal (i.e. excitatory) tDCS
should improve gait in PD patients, whereas cathodal (i.e. inhibitory) tDCS will make matters
worse. In contrast, if cerebellar hyperactivity is pathological, cathodal tDCS will improve
gait and anodal tDCS will worsen it. Hence, this study will improve the fundamental
understanding of gait pathophysiology in PD patients. The investigators will focus on the
aspects of gait that are particularly affected in PD and associated with fall risk, such as
stride length and gait speed (Paul et al. 2013). In this way, this study may identify the
cerebellum as a potential new target for treatment, opening up new possibilities improving
gait and balance disturbances in PD.
limb movements and eye movements (Morton et al. 2004). It is particularly important for
balance and limb coordination needed to generate a stable gait pattern (Morton et al. 2006).
Specific roles of the cerebellum for gait include coordinating the two legs to produce a
stable rhythmic pattern, dynamic regulation of balance, and adaptation of the pattern through
practice (Morton et al. 2004). Though the core deficits of PD patients are largely different
than those of cerebellar patients, they do show decreased bilateral coordination (Plotnik et
al. 2008) and a fundamental disturbance in stride length regulation (Morris et al. 1998)
during walking.
Recent work has shown that the cerebellum is hyperactive in PD patients, though it is not
known whether this activity is compensatory (i.e. reduces motor impairments) or pathological
(i.e. causes motor impairments). One idea is that increased cerebellar activity, affecting
cerebral motor areas, compensates for the reduced drive from the basal ganglia (Wu et al.
2013). Alternatively, it is possible that cerebellar hyperactivity is pathological, as recent
work suggests that cerebellar activity may be partially responsible for the generation of
Parkinsonian tremor (Helmich et al. 2012). One approach to answer this question is to use
non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to decrease the activity of the cerebellum in PD
patients and determine if they improve or worsen their gait pattern.
Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are able to alter the excitability of
brain pathways. Applying these techniques over the motor cortex, improved motor function in
different patient groups, including stroke and PD (Benninger et al. 2010). Only two studies
have investigated the effect of modulation of cerebellar-motor cortex excitability on motor
function in PD patients. That is, 1 Hz repetitive TMS (inhibitory rTMS) over the cerebellum
improved gross arm movements, but worsened fine motor skills17. Furthermore, a two-week
continuous theta burst stimulation TMS protocol decreased levodopa-induced dyskinesias (Koch
et al. 2009). These studies only investigated the effects on the upper extremities. The
cerebellum is also hyperactive during gait (Hanakawa et al. 1999; del Olmo et al. 2006), but
whether modulation of cerebellar excitability can improve gait deficits in PD patients is
currently unknown.
Non-invasive brain stimulation can also be used to study the connection between the
cerebellum and the motor cortex via using paired-pulse TMS. Specifically, cerebellar
stimulation 5 ms before motor cortex stimulation leads to a reduction in the amplitude of
motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), a phenomenon referred to as cerebellar-brain inhibition (CBI)
(Pinto et al. 2001). This measure of CBI is abnormal in PD patients—it is reduced at rest,
but increases with muscle contraction (Ni et al. 2010).
Gait impairments in PD are often resistant to treatment, particularly as the disease
progresses. Therefore, insight in the pathophysiology of gait disturbances is essential for
improving treatment options and quality of life for PD patients. This study will answer the
question of whether cerebellar hyperactivity alleviates or worsens gait deficits in PD
patients. If cerebellar hyperactivity in PD is compensatory, anodal (i.e. excitatory) tDCS
should improve gait in PD patients, whereas cathodal (i.e. inhibitory) tDCS will make matters
worse. In contrast, if cerebellar hyperactivity is pathological, cathodal tDCS will improve
gait and anodal tDCS will worsen it. Hence, this study will improve the fundamental
understanding of gait pathophysiology in PD patients. The investigators will focus on the
aspects of gait that are particularly affected in PD and associated with fall risk, such as
stride length and gait speed (Paul et al. 2013). In this way, this study may identify the
cerebellum as a potential new target for treatment, opening up new possibilities improving
gait and balance disturbances in PD.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Mild-moderate (Hoehn and Yahr scale: 1.5-3) idiopathic, akinetic-rigid type
Parkinson's disease.
- Capable of walking for 5 minutes.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Severe dyskinesia
- Congestive heart failure.
- Peripheral artery disease with claudication.
- Cancer. Pulmonary or renal failure. Unstable angina. Uncontrolled hypertension (>
190/110 mmHg). Brain injury. History of seizure or a family history of epilepsy. Metal
anywhere in the head except the mouth. Cardiac pacemakers. Cochlear implants.
Implanted medication pump. Heart disease. Intracardiac lines. Increased intracranial
pressure, such as after infarctions or trauma. Currently taking tricyclic
anti-depressants or neuroleptic medication. History of head trauma. History of
respiratory disease. Dementia (Montreal Cognitive Assessment < 26; Frontal Assessment
Battery < 13). Orthopedic or pain conditions. Pregnancy.
We found this trial at
1
site
707 North Broadway
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
443-923-9200
Phone: 443-923-2164
Kennedy Krieger Institute While not officially part of Johns Hopkins Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute is...
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