Scientists test smarter brain zaps to tame epilepsy
NCT ID NCT06141668
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Sep 03, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tested different electrical stimulation settings to see which ones best reduce abnormal brain activity in people with epilepsy. Researchers compared settings from animal studies to those used in standard practice. The goal is to improve how brain stimulation is used to control seizures.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Electrical stimulation
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help identify the best stimulation settings to reduce seizures in people with epilepsy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study (28 participants) that only measured brain activity, not seizure reduction. Results may not apply to all epilepsy patients.
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
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16 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2023
- Finished
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Jun 2025
- 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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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- 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: * Undergoing intracranial EEG investigation at Massachusetts General Hospital during presurgical epilepsy evaluation. * Consented for stimulation experiment. Exclusion Criteria: * Baseline spike ripple rate \< 0.5/min. * Did not complete 3 hours of stimulation.
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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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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Brain zaps reveal hidden epilepsy circuits