Cure My Disease

Don't miss your cure!

 Log in / Sign up

Brain zaps could reignite motivation in stroke survivors

NCT ID NCT05878457

Symptom relief Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026

Summary

This pilot study tests whether a type of non-invasive brain stimulation called accelerated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can safely reduce apathy in people who have had a stroke. Apathy — a lack of motivation or interest — is common after stroke and can hinder recovery. Participants receive multiple short sessions of magnetic pulses targeting a brain region linked to motivation over a week. The study measures changes in apathy symptoms, thinking abilities, and any side effects.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) device
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could offer a non-drug treatment for post-stroke apathy, helping survivors feel more motivated and engaged in their recovery.
What could go wrong
This is a very early pilot study with only 21 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The treatment is experimental, and its long-term benefits or risks are not yet known.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 1

The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.

Participants

21 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Dec 2023

Finished

Apr 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

40 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. 40 years old or greater 2. Right- or left-hemisphere ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke with at least 6 months chronicity 3. Symptomatic apathy as confirmed by (A) total score on the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) of ≥39 as rated by the participant or caregiver informant 4. Intact cortex under the coil at the stimulation target site confirmed by neuroimaging 5. Ability to participate in psychometric testing and cognitive tasks Exclusion Criteria: 1. Primary extra-axial hemorrhage (subdural or subarachnoid) without ischemic stroke or intraparenchymal hemorrhage 2. Concomitant neurological disorders affecting motor or cognitive function (e.g. dementia) 3. Moderate or severe global aphasia 4. Visual impairment precluding completion of cognitive tasks 5. Presence of contraindications to MRI or TMS including electrically, magnetically or mechanically activated metal or nonmetal implants such as cardiac pacemakers, intracerebral vascular clips, or any other electrically sensitive support system; 6. Pregnancy (to be later confirmed by UPT in any premenopausal female participants) 7. History of a seizure disorder 8. Preexisting scalp lesion, wound, bone defect, or hemicraniectomy 9. Claustrophobia precluding the ability to undergo an MRI 10. Active substance use disorder 11. Psychotic disorders 12. Bipolar 1 Disorder 13. Acute suicidality as assessed by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) or suicide attempt in the previous year

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ABULIA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Lethargy stroke disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ABULIA APATHY Motivation Stroke (CVA) or tia Stroke sequelae Stroke/brain attack

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Medical University of South Carolina Brain Stimulation Lab

    Charleston, South Carolina, 29403, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.