Brain Changes in Blepharospasm
Stopped early
Conditions studied: Dystonia, Focal Dystonia, Cerebellar Disease
In brief
This study will examine the role of certain areas of the brain in blepharospasm, a type of dystonia (abnormality of movement and muscle tone) that causes unwanted or uncontrollable blinking or closing of the eyelids. The study will compare brain activity in healthy volunteers and in people with blepharospasm to find differences in the brain that may lead to better treatments for dystonia. Healthy volunteers and people with blepharospasm who are 18 years of age and older may be eligible for this study. All candidates are screened with a medical history. People with blepharospasm also have a physical examination and blepharospasm rating. Participants undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electromyography (EMG) in two 4-hour sessions, separated by 1 to 7 days. TMS A wire coil is held on the subject s scalp. A brief electrical current is passed through the coil, creating a magnetic pulse that stimulates the brain. The subject hears a click and may feel a pulling sensation on the skin under the coil. There may be a twitch in muscles of the face, arm or leg. During the stimulation, subjects may be asked to tense certain muscles slightly or perform other simple actions. Repetitive TMS involves repeated magnetic pulses delivered in short bursts of impulses. Subjects receive 60 pulses per minute over 15 minutes. EMG Surface EMG is done during TMS to measure the electrical activity of muscles. For this test, electrodes (small metal disks) are filled with a conductive gel and taped to the skin of the face.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT00487383
- Run by
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- People needed
- 47
- Starts
- 2007-06-12
- Expected to finish
- 2012-06-29
- Last updated by the study team
- 2019-12-16
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 85. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may not qualify if…
- Any of the following will exclude patients and controls from the study:
- Secondary forms of dystonia, including tardive dyskinesia
- History of seizure disorder
- Symptoms of a clinically relevant illness in the 2 weeks before the first study day, including history of any other neurological disorders or conditions requiring the use of anti-depressants, neuroleptic medications, anti-seizure medications, anticholinergic drugs, and muscle relaxants
- Taking the following medications: antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antiparkinson, hypnotics, stimulants, and/or antihistamines
- History of neuroleptic medications
- Presence of pacemaker, implanted medical pump, metal plate or metal object in skull or eye
- Botulinum toxin injection within 3 months of starting the protocol
- Known hearing loss
Where it is running
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike — Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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