Clinical trials · California
Deep Brain Stimulation clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 27 recruiting deep brain stimulation studies with a site in California — including Phase 2/Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT06578429Recruiting
Deep TMS for methamphetamine use disorder
This study uses a type of brain stimulation called deep TMS to see if it can help people with methamphetamine use disorder reduce their cravings and use. You would receive daily magnetic pulses to specific brain areas over several weeks.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 25–75 - NCT03664609Recruiting
Study of outcomes for people with deep brain stimulation
This study looks back at results for people who have already had deep brain stimulation (DBS) or could get it. It aims to understand how DBS is used and what outcomes people experience.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT07288437Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation for SCA6 ataxia
This study tests if deep brain stimulation (putting a device in the brain to send mild electrical pulses) can improve balance and movement in people with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6), a genetic condition that causes trouble walking and coordination.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 21–89 - NCT04958096Recruiting
Brain stimulation study for severe OCD symptoms
This trial studies a form of brain stimulation to help reduce severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. It may be an option if your OCD has not improved despite several standard treatments and therapy.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 22–75 - NCT05065151Recruiting
Studying motivation in Parkinson’s using brain stimulation recordings
This study looks at what drives motivation in people with Parkinson’s disease (or dystonia) by using recordings from an implanted brain stimulation device. It may help researchers understand brain signals behind motivation and improve future treatments.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT02071134Recruiting
Registry study for Vercise deep brain stimulation patients
This study keeps a record of people who receive the Vercise deep brain stimulation system. It helps doctors learn how the treatment is used in real-world care and how patients do over time.
Aliso Viejo, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07214467Recruiting
Adaptive brain stimulation for opioid use disorder
This study tests a new type of brain stimulation that adapts to your brain activity, aiming to reduce cravings and help you control opioid use. It is for people with long-standing opioid use disorder who have not gotten lasting relief from at least 3 treatment attempts, including medication.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 22–75 - NCT07682311Recruiting
Adjusting brain stimulation automatically for Parkinson's
This study tests a new way to adjust deep brain stimulation (DBS) automatically during the day to better control Parkinson's symptoms. It is for people who already have a Percept DBS device but still have motor fluctuations.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 25–75 - NCT07398157Recruiting
24-hour adaptive deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's
This trial tests a new deep brain stimulation system that adapts in real time to improve symptom control over 24 hours, especially for people with daytime fluctuations or sleep problems despite standard DBS.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04650932Recruiting
Study tests new stimulation settings for advanced Parkinson’s
This study looks at whether changing how deep brain stimulation (DBS) pulses are delivered can improve symptoms in people with advanced Parkinson’s disease. You may be eligible if you already have a specific Boston Scientific DBS device and have had it implanted for at least 3 months.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04004169Recruiting
Closed-loop deep brain stimulation for long-lasting depression
This study tests a special kind of brain stimulation that can adjust to your brain signals while treating major depression that has not improved with standard treatments. It may help people with severe, long-term treatment-resistant depression, but it requires brain surgery and frequent visits.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 22–70 - NCT04874220Recruiting
Brain study of real-world navigation in people with RNS
This study looks at how the brain works while people navigate in everyday life. It includes people who already have an RNS device placed in their brain and helps researchers understand the brain activity tied to spatial navigation.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 12–70 - NCT04085406Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation for hard-to-treat low back pain
This trial studies deep brain stimulation (DBS) to reduce severe low back pain that hasn’t improved after many standard treatments and procedures. It may help people whose pain is long-lasting and not fixable with another surgery.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 40–75 - NCT04071847Recruiting
Study tracking results after Abbott deep brain stimulator surgery
This study follows people who are getting a new Abbott deep brain stimulator (DBS) device or replacing the battery/implantable pulse generator to see how outcomes change over time. It mainly applies to certain DBS targets and diagnoses, and it uses follow-up visits to track results.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT04144972Recruiting
Closed-loop deep brain stimulation for long-lasting nerve pain
This trial tests a “smart” deep brain stimulation device that senses your brain signals and adjusts treatment to reduce severe, long-lasting pain. It may help people whose pain has not improved with multiple pain medicines and surgery cannot fix the cause.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 22–80 - NCT05120635Recruiting
Study brain signals tied to fear and anxiety in RNS patients
This study records electrical brain activity to understand how fear and anxiety work in people who already have an RNS (responsive neurostimulation) device placed. It may help researchers develop better ways to monitor and treat anxiety-related symptoms in the future.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT05292794Recruiting
CereGate therapy for freezing of gait in Parkinson’s
This trial tests whether CereGate therapy can reduce “freezing of gait,” a walking problem, in people with Parkinson’s disease who already have deep brain stimulation (DBS). If you meet the device and medication stability requirements, the study may help your walking and movement symptoms measured during testing.
Redwood City, CaliforniaAges 21–80 - NCT05623306Recruiting
Brain stimulation surgery for OCD using a guided DBS system
This trial studies whether deep brain stimulation surgery—guided using special scans—can reduce severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. It may help people whose OCD has not improved enough with standard medicines and therapy.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 22–75 - NCT05968703Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation study for mild memory trouble in Parkinson’s
This trial looks at a specific type of deep brain stimulation (DBS) to see if it can help people with Parkinson’s who have mild cognitive problems (mild memory/thinking changes). You may also be asked to temporarily stop Parkinson’s medications around research visits to measure effects more clearly.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 21–80 - NCT06122675Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation for movement problems in children with cerebral palsy
This study tests whether deep brain stimulation (a small device placed in the brain that sends electrical pulses) can help improve movement problems in children and young adults with a certain type of cerebral palsy. The goal is to see if it can reduce involuntary movements like twisting or jerking.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 7–25 - NCT07127913Recruiting
Closed-loop brain stimulation for hard-to-treat bipolar depression
This trial tests a closed-loop deep brain stimulation system for people with bipolar II disorder whose depression has not responded to standard treatments. The device sends targeted electrical pulses to the brain based on real-time activity, aiming to reduce depression symptoms.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 22–70 - NCT07284784RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Buntanetap for Parkinson's disease study
This trial tests an investigational drug called buntanetap in people with Parkinson's disease. It aims to see if the drug can improve symptoms. There are two groups: those who've taken buntanetap before (Cohort 1) and those with a deep brain stimulator (DBS) implant for at least a year (Cohort 2).
Fountain Valley, CaliforniaAges 40–85 - NCT07216222Enrolling by invitation
Brain response study for epilepsy or PTSD patients
This study looks at how the brain processes fear using a device already implanted to treat epilepsy or PTSD. It may help researchers understand fear responses and improve treatments.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT06819020Enrolling by invitation
Adaptive deep brain stimulation for freezing of gait in Parkinson's
This trial tests an adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS) system designed to improve freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease. It is for people who still have trouble walking despite medications and are already planning to have DBS surgery.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 21–75
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting deep brain stimulation studies listed above.
- University of California, San Francisco · 11 studies
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 4 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 2 studies
- University of California, Davis Medical Center · 2 studies
- Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center
- Neurology and Pain Specialty
- Stanford Neuroscience Health Center
- Stanford University
What taking part in a deep brain stimulation study involves
A screening visit first
Before anything else, the study team checks whether you fit — usually a visit with some tests. You can stop at any point, and screening is typically free.
Care at a nearby site
Study visits happen at a clinic or hospital taking part. Many studies cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits, and some reimburse travel.
You stay in control
Taking part is voluntary and you can leave a study at any time, for any reason, without affecting your regular care.
The team decides eligibility
Our fit check is a helpful first read, not a decision. The study team makes the final call after reviewing your health history.
Deep Brain Stimulation trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there deep brain stimulation clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 27 recruiting deep brain stimulation studies with a site in California, each rewritten in plain language so you can see what it's testing and who it's for.
- How do I find out if I qualify for a deep brain stimulation study in California?
- Each study lists its eligibility rules — age, diagnosis, prior treatments. On every trial page we explain these in plain language and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Do I have to live in California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, but eligibility is about your health, not your address — some people travel to take part, and a few studies reimburse travel. The study team can tell you what's required.
- Does it cost anything to join a deep brain stimulation trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what's covered before you decide.
Not the right time?
New deep brain stimulation studies open in California regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.