Cognition and Emotional Processing in Parkinson’s Disease
We study how the brain processes cognitive and emotional information in Parkinson’s disease by measuring neural activity in basal ganglia–cortical networks. To access signals from deep brain regions, we enroll individuals who already have deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices. We also record scalp electroencephalography (EEG) to examine how these deep regions communicate with the rest of the brain.
Who can participate: Individuals with a Medtronic Percept DBS system and no severe psychiatric or neurological conditions.
What participation involves: Up to six visits to the UC Davis Center for Neuroscience, each about three hours, to complete brief computer tasks while we record EEG. Some sessions may also include virtual-reality tasks and recordings of brain activity during everyday life at home. There are no costs to participants. This study is currently enrolling. For more information, please contact Grace Sullivan (grsullivan@ucdavis.edu).
Upcoming Study: Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation (aDBS)
We are collaborating with the UC Davis DBS Clinic to implement and refine adaptive DBS protocols aimed at improving motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. This study is expected to begin in early 2026. If you are interested in participating, please contact Grace Sullivan (grsullivan@ucdavis.edu) to be added to the waitlist.
Healthy Volunteers
We are enrolling individuals over the age of 50 with no severe neurological or psychiatric conditions. Participants will complete brief computer-based tasks while we record brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG). These sessions take place at the UC Davis Center for Neuroscience and last about three hours. There are no costs to participants. If you are interested in participating, please contact Grace Sullivan (grsullivan@ucdavis.edu).