RecruitingNot Applicable

Deep Brain Stimulation for Spinocerebellar Ataxia

United States5 participantsStarted 2026-03

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the safety of placing Deep Brain Stimulators (DBS) in the cerebellum and using electrical stimulation of that part of the brain to treat symptoms related to the participants spinocerebellar ataxia. Five adults diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) with inadequate cerebellar symptom relief will be implanted with a Medtronic Percept Primary Cell Neurostimulator. The device will be implanted into the dentate nucleus, which is a structure located within the cerebellum that is responsible for controlling movement and balance. Specifically, the investigators will be using adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), which analyzes brain signals and automatically adjusts the strength, timing, and pattern of stimulation according to the patient's needs at any given moment. This study will evaluate the feasibility, safety, and tolerability of aDBS in SCA6 patients.

Who can participate

Age range

21 Years – 89 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. A diagnosis of SCA6 by a Movement Disorders specialist following established criteria recommended by the Movement Disorders Society.
. A positive genetic test for SCA6.
. A total scale ≥ 8 on the Scale of the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) rating scale.
. Ability to walk with or without support (score \< 8 on the 'gait' subsection of the SARA rating scale).
. Age ≥ 21 years and \< 89 years.
. Ability to give informed consent for the study.
. Be able to understand the study protocol.

Exclusion criteria

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Average total score for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA)

Timeframe: From baseline through study completion, about 2 years.

Average total Patient-Reported Outcome Measure of Ataxia (PROM-Ataxia) Score

Timeframe: From baseline through study completion, about 2 years.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07288437

SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2029-03

Contact for this trial

Marta San Luciano Palenzuela, MD, PhD

(415) 353-2311 Marta.SanLucianoPalenzuela@ucsf.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) trials