Brain surgery breakthrough? scientists decode how electrical mapping affects the brain

NCT ID NCT06391294

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Northwestern University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at how electrocortical stimulation (ECS) affects brain cells and speech areas during brain surgery for epilepsy or tumors. Researchers will have 65 participants perform simple tasks while their brains are mapped, sometimes with mild cooling. The goal is to understand how ECS works, which could lead to shorter surgeries and better outcomes.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: focal cortical cooling
What this could lead to: If successful, this study could help surgeons perform faster, more precise brain surgeries by better understanding how brain mapping works.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage observational study with only 65 participants, so findings may not apply to all patients. The cooling procedure is painless but may not reveal clear insights.

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

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain cancer brain neoplasm epilepsy

As listed by the trial registrant

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

BRAIN TUMOR ADULT EPILEPSY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, United States
Northwestern University

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States

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