Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Pilot Study

Description

The purpose of this research is to learn more about how the brain works in people with essential tremor, and how it changes after treatment with High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HiFU). Essential tremor is a movement disorder that causes shaking, usually in the hands, and can make everyday tasks difficult. HiFU is a treatment that uses focused sound waves to target a small area in the brain involved in tremor. In this study, the investigators aim to understand how this treatment affects the brain's networks by using safe, non-invasive tests such as brain imaging, brain wave recordings, and movement assessments.

Interventions

• MRI and fMRI scans (Diagnostic test)
  functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, anatomical MRI
• MEG (Diagnostic test)
  non-invasive electrophysiological technology that provides high temporal and spatial resolution to examine large-scale cortical dynamics.
• Sensor-based motor assessments (Diagnostic test)
  research-grade wearable sensors equipped with gyroscopes and accelerometers to precisely and accurately quantify patients' tremors. These sensors will be worn on the wrist or finger, capturing data as patients perform standardized tremor assessment tasks, such as spiral drawing task, writing task, commonly used in essential tremor evaluation. Gait and balance assessments will be conducted by synchronizing multiple sensors placed on the upper and lower extremities as well as the midline. Gait and balance data will be collected during tasks such as the 7-meter walk test, 360-degree turn test, and postural sway.
• Clinical evaluations (Other)
  vital signs, health status review, and neurological exam.
• Questionnaires and rating scales that (Other)
  daily functioning, mood, memory, and tremor

Eligibility criteria

Conditions

Locations

• UF Health — Gainesville, Florida, United States