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Scientists map the Brain's 'Stop' button for speech

NCT ID NCT07713706

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Lingyun Zhao Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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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 This study
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
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 Results may not be published yet.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This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.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 20, 2026 · Last updated Jul 21, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study investigates how the brain suddenly stops speech that is already underway. Researchers will record brain activity from epilepsy patients who already have electrodes implanted for medical reasons, as they perform speech tasks. The goal is to identify the neural circuits involved in voluntarily halting speech, which could improve understanding of disorders like stuttering and aphasia.

What this could mean

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

What this could lead to
If successful, this research could reveal how the brain stops speech, potentially guiding therapies for stuttering and aphasia.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage observational study with only 12 participants, so findings may not apply broadly. It does not test a treatment.

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

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 12 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Sep 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Jul 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

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

8 to 26 years

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: * Undergoing iEEG placement in regions of interest (e.g., in the frontal or temporal cortex) for clinically necessary localization of epileptic foci or language mapping * Fluent English speakers * Within the normal range for cognitive, speech-language, and hearing capacity * Normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with intellectual disability * Lack of fluent English comprehension/production * Inadequate speech ability for the research tasks. * History of autism or ADHD

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

epilepsy Speech speech disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Epilepsy SPEECH

How to take part

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  1. The places running it

    1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.

  2. The official record

    The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.

    Open the record ↗

  3. A doctor treating you

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224, United States

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