The effects of deep brain stimulation on decision making
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effects of deep brain stimulation on decision making
IRAS ID
166646
Contact name
Rafal Bogacz
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an effective surgical treatment for management of movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Essential Tremor. However, we do not fully understand how the DBS affects information processing in brain areas it is applied to, which are called basal ganglia. The basal ganglia are responsible for selecting which movements or action we make. This project will characterize in detail the effects of DBS on processes underlying action selection. The results of the experiments will bring unique insight into the mechanisms of action selection in healthy basal ganglia, and thus in long term can contribute to better treatments of disorders affecting this brain region.
For this study, patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, who are being assessed for DBS or who have already had a DBS system implanted, will be recruited over the next five years. The study will take place at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, when patients attend for their routine clinical care. The study will involve patients and matched control participants performing computerized tests, in which they will have to make a decision on the basis of information presented on the screen, and report their choice by pressing a button. The study will be funded by the MRC.REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0105
Date of REC Opinion
5 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion