Could a nerve zap cure sleep apnea? early trial recruits in latin america
NCT ID NCT06762873
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This early-phase study will test whether a device that stimulates the phrenic nerve can help treat moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in 50 Latin American adults. Participants will undergo sleep studies and a procedure to map their airway collapse. The goal is to see if this neuromodulation therapy works differently in this population compared to previous US studies.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- phrenic nerve stimulation device
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a new treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea in Latin American populations.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early (Phase 1) study with only 50 participants, so results may not apply widely. The therapy may not work as well as hoped or could have unknown side effects.
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
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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About 50 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2024
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2025
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
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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18 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: 1. Subject is aged ≥ 18 years old 2. Subject is willing and able to provide informed consent 3. Subject is geographically stable 4. Subject does not have access to alternative Sleep Disordered Breathing treatments (e.g. oral appliances, and/or behavioral treatments) 5. Subject has an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) score ≥15 \< 100 events per hour on Screening PSGs (under AASM 4%) based on in-lab polysomnography studies Exclusion Criteria: 1. Subject is currently implanted with another active implantable device. 2. Subject is actively enrolled in another premarket investigational study (medical device or drug) unless approved by Sponsor in writing. 3. Subject is considered vulnerable such as incarcerated or cognitively impaired. 4. Subject is taking opioids, narcotics, sleep or psychotic medications or supplements that in the opinion of the investigator may alter consciousness, the pattern of respiration, sleep architecture, or with known effect on sleep-wake function or alertness. 5. Any reason for which, in the judgment of the investigator, the subject is considered to be a poor study candidate, which may include, but is not limited to: any uncontrolled neurological, medical, social, or psychological problems that could complicate the required procedures and evaluations of the study ((e.g. uncontrolled hypertension, unstable angina, uncompensated heart failure or COPD, major depression, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy) 6. Subject has previous upper respiratory tract (URT) surgery (e.g., uvula, soft palate or tonsils) within 60 days prior to Screening PSG. 7. Subject has a need for chronic supplemental oxygen therapy for any reason or a PaO2 \<70 mm Hg 8. Subject has other sleep disorders or sleep hygiene behaviors that confound functional assessments of sleepiness and/or overnight PSG Study outcomes (e.g. Narcolepsy with cataplexy, idiopathic hypersomnolence, insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, or sleep movement disorders, such as restless leg syndrome or periodic limb movement, producing sleep disturbances unrelated to OSA.) 9. Subject has severe chronic kidney disease (GFR \< 30) 10. Subject has currently excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, or recreational drugs. 11. Subject is unwilling or unable to refrain from consumption of alcoholic beverages for 24 hours prior to the start of each PSG study. 12. Subject has a BMI \> 40 kg/m2 13. Subject has an active systemic infection 14. If female, subject is pregnant at the time of enrollment or planning to become pregnant during the study time period (must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 14 days prior to enrollment) 15. Subject has a tonsil size 3 or 4 based on the tonsil grading system 16. Subject has documented history of Phrenic nerve palsy or asymmetry of the diaphragm 17. Subject has any trauma to the upper airway that interferes with limited tongue movement or inability to move the tongue, tongue dysfunction, atrophy, hypertrophy, fasciculation, or problems swallowing or speaking 18. Subject has severe mandibular deficiency/retrognathia or syndromic craniofacial abnormalities. 19. Subject has previous surgical resection or radiation therapy for cancer or congenital malformations in the larynx, tongue, or throat. 20. Subject has an oxygen saturation (SaO2) \>10% falls index \> 15 events per hour on Screening PSGs 21. Subject has \>25% central apnea events as a proportion of the sum of apnea and hypopnea events per hour on Screening PSGs (up to 3 patients with CAI+MAI ≥ 25% may be included) 22. Subject has sleep Efficiency \< 80%
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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
1 site. 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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Sanatorio Americano
RECRUITINGAsunción, Paraguay
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