Mallory Hacker

Combining clinical expertise and trial design, David Charles, MD, and Mallory Hacker, PhD, MSCI, are ready to undertake a groundbreaking study on treatment for Parkinson’s. (photo by Donn Jones)
April 7, 2025

Vanderbilt neurology research duo shares details of new clinical trial that would take aim at slowing or stopping the progression of Parkinson’s disease 

Parkinson’s is best known for manifesting with a tremor, but patients may have up to four “cardinal features” that include muscle rigidity, slowing of movements and balance problems.

By Evan Dorian
Stephen Purcell
June 5, 2024

It’s been 16 years since sweet-spot brain stimulation slowed Parkinson’s progression for Hermitage man

In 2008 at VUMC there were a group of doctors trying something unheard of on a handful of patients who signed up for their study. Half would receive deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in attempt to slow the progression of their early-stage Parkinson’s disease, and the others would not.

By Craig Boerner
photo of David Charles and Mallory Hacker
June 7, 2023

Deep brain sweet spot might be key to halt Parkinson’s

A sweet spot in the deep brain with direct lines of communication to motor regions far out on the cerebral cortex might hold a key to halting the progression of early-stage Parkinson’s disease.

By Paul Govern
photo of David Charles and Mallory Hacker
June 30, 2020

Pilot study suggests Parkinson’s disease progression can be slowed

A pair of ultra-thin electrodes surgically implanted deep into the brain might slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease, according to five-year outcomes from a 30-patient randomized clinical trial conducted by investigators at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

By Paul Govern
March 24, 2020

Spasticity underdiagnosed

Spasticity — a consequence of stroke and other disorders of the central nervous system — may be underdiagnosed and undertreated in nursing home residents.

By Paul Govern
December 6, 2018

Neuromodulation Society honors Hacker’s Parkinson’s research

Mallory Hacker, PhD, research assistant professor of Neurology, is the 2019 recipient of the Kumar New Investigator Award from the North American Neuromodulation Society.

By Tom Wilemon
August 30, 2018

Parkinson’s study to track impact of DBS on earliest patients

A decade after taking part in the first clinical trial of deep brain stimulation (DBS) administered during very early-stage Parkinson’s disease, participants will return to Vanderbilt University Medical Center this year to be re-evaluated.
By Tom Wilemon
June 29, 2018

DBS treatment may slow tremor progression in early-stage Parkinson’s patients

June 29, 2018 - Analysis of data from a clinical trial conducted at Vanderbilt suggests that deep brain stimulation (DBS) administered to patients with very early-stage Parkinson’s disease slowed the progression of rest tremor. The study, published June 29 in Neurology, is significant because it is the first evidence of a treatment that may possibly delay the progression of one of the cardinal features of Parkinson’s disease.
By Tom Wilemon
September 1, 2016

Trial to test whether DBS slows Parkinson’s progression

A consortium led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) researchers has received funding as it makes plans for a multicenter trial that could determine whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) slows the progression of Parkinson’s disease in early-stage patients.
By Tom Wilemon