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NCT Number: NCT06295458

Gamma Sensory Flicker for Parkinson's Disease Patients With Freezing of Gait

This study aims to answer the question: to assess the safety, and tolerability of gamma light in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with freezing of gait (FOG).

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients often experience a complex gait disorder known as Freezing of Gait (FOG). FOG is characterized by brief arrests of stepping when initiating gait, turning, and walking straight and patients describe it as their feet being "glued" to the floor. FOG in Parkinson's disease (PD) is a considerable public health burden worldwide. It is a poorly understood gait symptom that has potentially grave consequences as FOG is intermittent and unpredictable, a leading cause of falls with injury, and results in loss of independence. FOG is generally found to be associated with cognitive decline, particularly executive dysfunction which, in turn, has been associated with higher spinal fluid amyloid (Aβ42) levels in PD.

There is data linking amyloid to FOG. A previous study showed that the gamma light helped reduce some amyloid. The research team is studying if gamma light exposure for 1 hour daily is well tolerated. Also, does it have any effect on freezing of gait severity?

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Key information

Conditions

Gait Disorders, Neurologic Alzheimer Disease Basal Ganglia Diseases Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Dementia Mental Disorders Movement Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders Neurodegenerative Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Parkinson Disease Parkinsonian Disorders Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Synucleinopathies Tauopathies

Age range

50 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Emory Movement Disorders Center

Atlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States

About this study

This will be a sham-controlled study with one group receiving the sensory stimulation and the other receiving sham stimulation.

Exposure will be provided by wearing a pair of glasses and headphones. Both of these will be connected to a device that will provide light and sound during the daily 1-hour session.

Gamma light appeared in a previous study to have potential as a non-invasive, non-medication approach to reduce amyloid from the brain. This study will investigate if the link between amyloid and FOG can be changed and improve FOG.

Gamma is a short wavelength of light and/or sound between 25-140Hz. Previous research suggested that 40Hz can potentially activate cells in the brain to remove amyloid. Amyloid is a protein that forms in the spaces between nerve cells in the brain in diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

This study also has two optional parts. One option is to undergo two lumbar punctures at the baseline and Month 6 visits. The other option is to participate in a one-year extension of the study. Blood draws will be used to verify levodopa levels in the blood during both the ON and OFF Parkinson's disease medication states.

Optional lumbar punctures will be performed at baseline and 6 months to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples which will be analyzed for change in amyloid levels before and after treatment. An electroencephalogram (EEG) will be utilized at the beginning of the study to evaluate the brain's response to the stimulus. Cognitive testing will be administered to capture any cognitive changes. Questionnaires used will provide any changes to the participant's self-evaluation.

The duration of the blinded portion is approximately 7 months. The optional extension portion will have two in-clinic visits at month 12 and month 18. Participants will be enrolled from the Emory University movement disorder clinic.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • PD Diagnosis by UK Brain Bank Criteria
  • Hoehn & Yahr stage I-IV in the off-state
  • FOG noted in medical history
  • FOG confirmed visually by the examiner in the office
  • PD that is levodopa-treated and responsive
  • Able to manage 12 hours of "OFF" dopaminergic medication state
  • Age 50-80 years
  • Able to sign a consent document and willing to participate in all aspects of the study

Exclusion criteria

  • A diagnosis of atypical Parkinsonism, including vascular Parkinsonism
  • Prior treatment with medications that cause Parkinsonism
  • Stage V PD -unable to walk independently when OFF
  • Absence of levodopa response
  • Neurological or orthopedic disorders interfering with gait
  • Dementia precluding completing the study protocol, including those meeting criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies
  • Major depression based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria
  • Any medical problems that would preclude participation, including individuals with a history of migraines, tinnitus, or seizures, because sensory stimuli can potentially exacerbate these conditions.
  • Profound sensory loss as determined by the investigator.

Treatment and study plan

David Delight Plus Device

Device

Flicker exposure via a light and sound device-based stimulation-provided sensory stimulation device. The DAVID Delight Plus device consists of light-emitting goggles and sound-emitting headphones that are turned on and off with a repetition rate of 40 Hz connected to a controller operated by the participant or study partner (if the participant elects to have an optional study partner). At the baseline visit, light and sound intensity levels (auditory: 0-80 dBA, visual: 0-1400 lux) will be programmed into each participant's controller based on their unique response to tolerance and EEG entrainment testing which occurred at screening. The participant may not detect gamma-flicker frequency.

Other names: Flicker Device, Intervention Group

Sham therapy

Other

Sham therapy will be provided in the same manner as the flicker light. The difference is that it will be a constant light and sound from the same device instead of the 40hz light treatment and sound.

Other names: Control Group

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of participants with Adverse events

    Time frame: up to 6 months

    Participants will document the occurrence of any adverse events that occur during the flicker exposure to evaluate the safety and tolerability.

  2. Number of participants compliant with the study procedures

    Time frame: up to 6 months

    Compliance will be measured by the number of participants who adhere to the study procedures (at-home usage, monitored by the device, and manual log of daily operation by the participants and their study partners).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in the MDS-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) scale in participants with PD

    Time frame: Baseline and up to 6 months

    Each participant with PD will be assessed at baseline and at 6 months in the practically defined off state and after a levodopa challenge with the MDS-UPDRS scale. The MDS-UPDRS was developed to evaluate various aspects of Parkinson's disease including non-motor and motor experiences of daily living and motor complications. It includes a motor evaluation and characterizes the extent and burden of disease. Each Parkinsonian sign or symptom is rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale (ranging from 0 to 4), with higher scores indicating more severe impairment. The maximum total UPDRS score is 199, indicating the worst possible disability from PD. The change in severity based on both measures will be compared between groups.

  2. Change in the freezing of gait severity in participants with PD.

    Time frame: Baseline and up to 6 months

    Each participant with PD will be assessed at baseline and at 6 months in the practically defined off state and after a levodopa challenge with MDS-UPDRS scale and in the motion capture laboratory to assess percent time with freezing during timed up and go tests. The change in severity based on both measures will be compared between groups.

  3. Change in subjective changes in FOG.

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Participants will complete the New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (N-FOGQ) to assess subjective changes in FOG. The NFOG-Q is in essence a valid, self-reported questionnaire assessing the clinical aspects of freezing (frequency and duration) and its impact on quality of life when looking back during a period of 1 month. The total score ranges between 0 and 28 points and requires a rating of FOG occurrence in both on or off-medication states. Higher scores correspond to more severe FOG.

Other outcomes

  1. Change in the effects of driving gamma on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid levels in patients with PD-FOG

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Participants will be given the option to have a lumbar puncture at baseline and month 6. CSF levels of Alzheimer markers, AB42 amyloid, T-tau, and p-tau will be measured and the groups compared.

  2. Change in the effects of driving gamma on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammatory markers levels in patients with PD-FOG

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Participants will be given the option to have a lumbar puncture at baseline and month 6. CSF levels of Alzheimer's inflammatory markers will be measured and the groups compared.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Emory University

Other

Collaborators

  • Parkinson's Foundation

Registry information

Acronym: Flicker w FOG

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Mar 6, 2024
Registry last updated
Mar 5, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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