Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment that can help improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the effectiveness of this treatment varies among patients, and physicians currently have no way to predict who will benefit the most. This study will investigate whether the types of bacteria in a person's gut can help predict their response to DBS. By analyzing patient samples, we aim to identify biomarkers that could help doctors better select candidates for this procedure, ultimately leading to more successful treatment outcomes for individuals with Parkinson's disease.

For this study, we are recruiting 54 individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Freezing of Gait (FOG) who are planning to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). The objective of this study is to better understand the FOG response to DBS. Prior to DBS study participants will undergo a MRI scan, behavioral assessment related to walking, a cognitive evaluation, and assessment of other Parkinson's disease symptoms. Following DBS participants will repeat these assessments at multiple timepoints over the period of three years. Overall, participants will complete a total of 9 visits over a period of approximately 3 years.