Who is eligible for clinical trial NCT07288437?

Participants must meet the protocol's inclusion criteria for Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA). The stated age range is 21 Years to 89 Years. Confirm all requirements with the study coordinator.

Does clinical trial NCT07288437 provide travel or cost reimbursement?

Check with the site coordinator at the participating facility for travel and lodging stipend availability, and for which routine-care costs are covered.

🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2026-07-10

Deep Brain Stimulation for Spinocerebellar Ataxia (NCT07288437)

Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation Targeting the Dentate Nucleus to Treat Spinocerebellar Ataxia

🟢 Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic ⚙️ Medical Device Protocol Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

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 join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (7 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (17 items).

Location: UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences — San Francisco, California

Age range: 21 Years to 89 Years

🧪 Interventions in This Study

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) (DEVICE)

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

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.

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

Exclusion Criteria:
Inability or unwillingness to comply with the study protocol.
History of previously implanted neurostimulators, pacemakers, defibrillators, or metallic head implants.
Severe cognitive impairment or dementia, defined as a score \< 21 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
Evidence of ataxia due to other etiologies, including but not limited to:
Genetic/inherited disorders other than SCA6.
Acquired causes: tramautic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, paraneplastic cerebellar degeneration, infections or post-infectious cerebellitis, autoimmune ataxias (e.g., anti-GAD, gluten ataxia).
Toxic/metabolic causes: alcoholic cerebellar degeneration, vitamin deficiencies.
Structural, vascular, or neoplastic causes: cerebellar stroke, tumors, congenital malformations.
Suspected multiple system atrophy-cerebellar type (MSA-C).
The presence of active and untreated psychiatric illness, severe depression (Beck Depression Inventory ≥ 21), or personality disorder at the discretion of the study team.
Coagulopathy, uncontrolled epilepsy, or other medical condition considered to place the patient at elevated risk for surgical complications. Presence of a concomitant medical condition that, in the investigator's opinion, may interfere with the study participation or gait/balance, for example, severe arthritis.

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (2 Sites)

UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences — San Francisco, California
University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, California

📞 Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (415) 353-2311

Email: Marta.SanLucianoPalenzuela@ucsf.edu

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

More studies in Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA)

Interposed Nucleus aDBS for Ataxia — Gainesville, Florida

Explore by condition: All Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) clinical trials

💡 How to Participate

Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.

🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗