Scientists test smarter settings for brain implants to stop epilepsy seizures
NCT ID NCT05493722
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether adjusting the settings of an already-implanted deep brain stimulator can better control seizures in people with epilepsy that doesn't respond to medication. Researchers will try different combinations of stimulation strength, speed, and pulse width in 20 participants. The goal is to find the best settings for each person to reduce seizures 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 (DBS) parameter adjustments
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a personalized way to adjust DBS settings that better controls seizures for each patient.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study (20 people) focused on measuring brain signals, not on proving seizure reduction. It may not lead to a widely usable treatment.
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
-
Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
-
About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Sep 2023
- Expected to finish
-
Jan 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: * medically refractory epilepsy * already have a deep brain stimulator in place Exclusion Criteria: * severe dementia at investigator discretion
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Deep brain stimulation are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
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
-
University of Minnesota
RECRUITINGMinneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Ketamine, long used as an anesthetic, tested as a seizure treatment
- Brain surgery for Parkinson's: can we foresee the confusion that follows?
- Could brain implants tame severe mental illness?
- Brain imaging may reveal who benefits from deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's freezing
- Brain implant for Parkinson's may raise fall risk — a study investigates
- CBD oil put to the test for kids with Hard-to-Control seizures