AI-assisted, real-time deep-brain stimulation therapy for walking impairments in Parkinson's disease

by Michael Mitchell, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been used for more than three decades to treat motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Today, more than 200,000 patients worldwide have been implanted with these systems, which continuously deliver electrical stimulation to specific deep-brain regions to reduce rigidity and tremor. Yet despite its clinical success, conventional deep brain stimulation remains limited in its ability to address one of the disease's most disabling symptoms: walking impairments.

Researchers from EPFL and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) have developed a new approach, published in Nature Medicine, that adapts DBS in real time to the patient's mobility in everyday situations. Thanks to artificial intelligence, the system continuously interprets the patient's activity and adjusts stimulation in real time, improving walking, climbing stairs and even the simple act of standing up.

Adapting stimulation to real-life situations

"Before, I could barely walk because my legs would feel heavy or sometimes move uncontrollably. Now, as the stimulation adapts to what I'm doing, I can walk better and for longer stretches," recounts Mr. F, one of the study's participants. Unlike conventional DBS, which delivers stimulation continuously with fixed parameters, the new therapy adjusts stimulation dynamically based on the patient's ongoing locomotor activity.

"Daily locomotor activity involves a variety of activities, such as standing, walking, running, turning or navigating obstacles, each imposing distinct motor requirements," says Eduardo Moraud, the newly appointed Medtronic Chair in Neuromodulation professor at EPFL. "This work shows that we can decode many of these activities from neural biomarkers and adapt stimulation to match their physiological demands, helping patients move more naturally."

Using artificial intelligence on data from 40 patients, the researchers developed neural decoders that detect different locomotor states directly from brain activity in real time. These signals are then used to modulate stimulation within seconds, allowing the therapy to adjust as movement unfolds.

The approach builds on clinically established DBS systems. Through collaboration with industry partner Medtronic, the researchers were able to access and refine key aspects of the technology to target gait problems, enabling the development of adaptive, real-time stimulation strategies.

From the clinic to everyday use

"Walking problems often respond differently to DBS than tremor or rigidity, something clinicians have recognized for years. Our work shows that stimulation settings can be adjusted automatically to meet a person's needs as they move," says Jocelyne Bloch, head of neurosurgery at Lausanne University Hospital and senior co-author of the study.

Conducted within the .NeuroRestore interdisciplinary center co-directed by Bloch, this work brings together CHUV's clinical expertise with EPFL's leadership in neurotechnology to accelerate the translation of next-generation therapies.

"Turning deep brain stimulation into an intelligent therapy opens entirely new possibilities for patients, especially those living with severe walking impairments," Bloch says.

The research team is considering a follow-up study to evaluate the therapy's long-term outcomes and extend the approach to a larger patient population.

Publication details

Stefano Scafa et al, Activity-dependent adaptive deep brain stimulation improves gait in Parkinson's disease, Nature Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-026-04432-4

Journal information: Nature Medicine

Key medical concepts

Parkinson's DiseaseDeep Brain StimulationGait Disturbance

Clinical categories

Neurology Provided by Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne Who's behind this story?

Lisa Lock

BA art history, MA material culture. Former museum editor, paramedic, and transplant coordinator. Editing for Science X since 2021. Full profile →

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Citation: AI-assisted, real-time deep-brain stimulation therapy for walking impairments in Parkinson's disease (2026, June 15) retrieved 15 June 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-ai-real-deep-brain-therapy.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.