This device, originally designed to control tics in people with Tourette syndrome, is now the focus of a two-year study funded by Parkinson’s UK.
Electrical Stimulation for Reducing Tremors
Scientists from the University of Nottingham have previously shown that delivering repetitive trains of electrical stimulation to the median nerve (MNS) at the wrist in order to entrain rhythmic electrical brain activity—known as brain oscillations—reduces the amount and severity of tics in people with Tourette syndrome.
This electrical wrist stimulation is now being trialled in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). In the trial, the team will investigate in a sham-controlled study if two weeks of twice-daily sessions of home-administered MNS is effective in reducing PD tremor.
Potential Benefits of Neuromodulation in Parkinson’s Disease
Tremor is one of the main motor symptoms of PD and occurs in approximately 75% of individuals. Tremor in PD has a unique pathophysiology compared to other motor symptoms (e.g., bradykinesia and rigidity) and has a variable response to medication. For this reason, neuromodulation using MNS may offer an attractive, non-drug treatment for the improvement of PD tremor.
Brain imaging studies have demonstrated that Parkinson’s tremor is linked to activity in two, partially overlapping brain networks that converge within the cortical sensorimotor area (CSM). The tremor is associated with activity in a cerebellar-thalamo-cortical (CTC) brain circuit that is correlated with tremor power, and Parkinson’s Disease is also associated with altered synchronization of brain oscillations within a cortical-striatal-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) network.
Expert Insights on the New Wrist Device for Parkinson’s
Professor Stephen Jackson from the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Neuromodulation, Neurotechnology and Neurotherapeutics said: "The success of the Tourette’s clinical trial, and subsequent ongoing development of the wrist device, has gained a huge amount of interest, and we were contacted by many people with Parkinson’s Disease asking whether the same approach could be used to help control tremor."
Professor Jackson continues: "Previously, it has been demonstrated that PD tremor can be reduced by delivering peripheral electrical stimulation. The aim of this project is to determine, in a sham-controlled study, whether trains of MNS that target the cortical sensorimotor area can be used to effectively suppress PD tremor, and if so, whether this approach could be incorporated in a wearable therapeutic device that can be used in a community setting."
Advancing Parkinson’s Research and Treatment
Katherine Fletcher, Research Communications Lead at Parkinson’s UK, expressed optimism about the research: "We are delighted to be funding this project because it has the potential to find that symptoms of Parkinson's could be managed without someone having to take more medication or undergo invasive surgery. Tremor is one of the more well-known symptoms of Parkinson's, and for people who struggle with this symptom, it can interfere with day-to-day activities and make them feel self-conscious. This research study will give insight into whether this wristband can help control tremor. If so, this would add another option in the treatment of Parkinson's to allow people to live better with the condition."
Upcoming Discussion on Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation
The research on the wrist device for Parkinson’s is being presented and discussed at a two-day workshop taking place on 10–11 March at the University of Nottingham. Scientists and people with Parkinson’s Disease will be able to learn more.
