Brain zaps may quiet epileptic spikes and boost language in kids
NCT ID NCT04325282
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce abnormal brain activity and improve language in children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS). Twenty-two children received both active and sham rTMS while their brain activity was measured with EEG. The goal was to see if rTMS could decrease the frequency of brain spikes and change how brain regions connect, potentially leading to better language and learning outcomes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a non-invasive treatment to improve language and learning in children with epilepsy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 22 children, so results may not apply to everyone. The treatment is temporary and may not lead to lasting benefits.
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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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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22 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2020
- Finished
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Mar 2024
- 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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5 to 18 years
- 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * A diagnosis of Benign Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes (BECTS), sometimes called Rolandic Epilepsy. Diagnosis will be based on a history of a focal motor seizure (affecting the face or causing hypersalivation) or a history of a seizure out of sleep AND an EEG with unilateral or bilateral centrotemporal spike waves. * English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: * History of prematurity \< 35 weeks gestational age; * History of serious neurologic problems (i.e. history of other seizure disorder other than simple febrile seizure, head trauma with prolonged loss of consciousness, cerebrovascular accident or neuro-inflammatory disease) * Focal deficits on neurologic exam * History of abnormal MRI (with clear gray or white matter abnormality)
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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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Stanford University School of Medicine
Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States