Can unresponsive patients still form memories? new study investigates
NCT ID NCT06959212
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether people with disorders of consciousness (like coma or minimally conscious state) can form and recall memories. Researchers will use brain wave (EEG) and skin sensors to detect memory activity that can't be seen through behavior alone. The goal is to better understand these patients' inner mental life and improve their diagnosis and care.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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
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About 175 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2025
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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15 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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 Hide 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 Patients suffering from a Disorder of Consciousness: * Patient not conscious according to the CRS-R scale (Kalmar \& Giacino, 2005) * Age over 15 years and 3 months * Free and informed consent signed by a third party (parental authority, trusted support person) Conscious patients (controls) : * Age over 15 years and 3 months * Cared for in an Intensive Care Unit * Free and informed consent signature Patients who have regained consciousness after having suffered from a Disorder of Consciousness (if not included during their disorder): * Age over 15 years and 3 months * Free and informed consent signature if able, otherwise signature of relative (holders of parental authority for minors) * Patient who has been unconscious for at least 3 days according to the CRS-R scale Exclusion criteria: - Deep sedation (Intracranial hypertension, refractory status epilepticus) * Previous severe neurodegenerative disease (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia) * Deafness * Patients under guardianship or trusteeship * Pregnant and breast-feeding women
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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APHP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, NeuroSurgery ICU
RECRUITINGParis, 75013, France
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APHP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Department of Neurology, Neuro-ICU
RECRUITINGParis, 75013, France
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