Spinal zap trial offers hope for rare stiffness disease

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Is 18 years of age or older at the time that the Informed Consent Form (ICF) is signed. * Has been clinically diagnosed with stiff person syndrome * Has clinical symptoms of muscle rigidity and spasms in the truncal (including abdominal, thoracic paraspinal, and pectoral) or proximal lower limb musculature * Has Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (anti-GAD65) antibodies or serum anti-GAD65 antibodies present at any titer * Is currently trying or has tried in the past at least two conventional therapies with insufficient symptomatic relief or intolerable side effects (such as nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs, topical patches/creams/gels/ointments, physical therapy, acupuncture, bracing, assistive devices, and lifestyle modification). * If taking oral medications, is willing to maintain a stable regimen for the duration of the study period. * Is cleared for an implantable medical device by licensed mental health provider. * Is an appropriate candidate for the surgical procedures required in this study based on clinical judgement of the study physician. * Is willing to and capable of giving written informed consent. * Is willing and able to comply with study-related requirements and procedures and attend scheduled visits. Exclusion criteria: * Is less than 18 years of age at the time at the time that the Informed Consent Form (ICF) is signed. * Has a Body Mass Index (BMI) \> 45. * Has a history of spine surgery or is planning to receive a spinal injection or procedure while participating in the study, unless this procedure can be postponed until after study completion. * Has radiological findings or evidence of moderate to severe central spinal canal stenosis or neuroforaminal stenosis at any thoracic level or laterality. * Has radiological findings or evidence of moderate/severe central spinal canal stenosis at any cervical or lumbar level. * Has had an epidural steroid injection within 6 weeks of enrollment. * Has a history of infection of the spine within 6 months of enrollment. * Has received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy within 30 days or is unwilling to maintain a stable regimen (no change in dosage or frequency) during the study period. * Has a history of opioid misuse or current chronic opioid therapy. * Has evidence of a coagulation abnormality or low platelet count (\<120,000) indicated on Complete Blood Count test at screening, or has a history of abnormal bleeding, or if unable to pause anticoagulation therapy in accordance with accepted guidelines for a spinal cord stimulator trial. * Has a current local infection at the anticipated surgical entry site, active systemic infection, or active malignancy. * Has a medical condition or pain in other area(s) not intended to be treated in this study, that could interfere with study procedures, accurate pain reporting, and/or confound evaluation of study endpoints, as determined by the Investigator (such as radicular pain, post-herpetic neuralgia, central canal stenosis of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine, critical limb ischemia due to peripheral vascular disease, or small vessel disease). * Has a history of untreated major depressive disorder, or history of any mental health disorder with psychotic features, such as schizophrenia. * Is pregnant (confirmed via pregnancy test) or plans on becoming pregnant during the study period. * Has had, within six months of enrollment, a significant untreated addiction to dependency producing medications, alcohol or illicit drugs. * Is concomitantly participating in another interventional clinical trial. * Is involved in an injury claim for a study-related chronic pain that is under current litigation. * Is a recipient of temporary Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits due to study related chronic pain. * Has a pending or approved worker's compensation claim for study-related chronic pain. * Has low English language literacy interfering with the ability to complete study requirements.