Can brain stimulation awaken the mind after a coma?
NCT ID NCT01718249
First seen Aug 05, 2026 · Last updated Aug 06, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether low-frequency deep brain stimulation can improve conscious behavior in people who have been in a vegetative or minimally conscious state for at least six months after a stroke or one year after a brain injury. Participants receive an implanted neurostimulation system targeting a specific brain region, and their level of consciousness is measured using a standard scale. The goal is to see if this approach can help facilitate the emergence of conscious behavior.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Deep brain stimulation (implantable neurostimulation system)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a way to help some people with severe post-coma disorders emerge into greater awareness and conscious behavior.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage trial, and results may not apply broadly. Brain stimulation carries risks from surgery and may not improve consciousness for everyone.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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CHU Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand, 63003, France