Could zapping a different brain region tame epilepsy?

NCT ID NCT04692701

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Marseille Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 11, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This pilot study tests deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the medial pulvinar, a new target in the brain, for people with drug-resistant epilepsy who have not improved with other treatments. Twelve adults aged 18 to 60 will receive the stimulation and track their seizures for 12 months. The goal is to see if this approach can reduce seizure frequency and improve quality of life.

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 device targeting the medial pulvinar
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer a new treatment option for people with drug-resistant epilepsy who have not responded to other therapies.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study with only 12 participants, so results may not apply widely. The approach is still experimental and may not reduce seizures significantly.

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.

epilepsy visual epilepsy

As listed by the trial registrant

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

EPILEPSY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Service de Neurologie

Nice, 13385, France

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