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Could a 3-Day TMS course ease functional seizures?
NCT ID NCT07059325
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This early study tests whether an accelerated form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is feasible and tolerable for people with functional seizures (also called psychogenic non-epileptic seizures). Thirty adults will receive up to 30 TMS sessions over 3–5 days, targeting the left prefrontal cortex. Researchers will measure how many complete the treatment, track side effects, and monitor seizure frequency and quality of life at 4 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a fast, non-drug treatment to reduce functional seizures and improve quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small, open-label trial with no placebo group. Results may not prove effectiveness, and side effects like headache or dizziness are possible.
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 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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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18 to 65 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.
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. \>18 years old and \<65 years old 2. English Speaking, can read and write, and able to provide informed consent 3. Diagnosis of "documented" Functional Seizures as made by an MUSC epileptologist or neurologist using the ILAE recommendations: "by clinician experienced in diagnosis of seizure disorders (on video or in person), showing semiology of typical of FND-seiz, while on EEG plus no epileptiform activity on routine or ambulatory ictal EEG during a typical ictus/event in which the semiology would make ictal epileptiform EEG activity expected during equivalent epileptic seizures"2 4. In addition to meeting ILAE minimum requirements for FND-seiz diagnosis, must have previously undergone and documented in the electronic medical record a minimum of 24-hours of otherwise normal video EEG without interictal epileptiform findings 5. Duration of symptoms \>3 months and continuing to experience NES at least monthly 6. Not currently undergoing any psychotherapeutic intervention, agree to forgo any psychotherapeutic intervention during the study, and if previously completed any psychotherapeutic intervention continue to experience monthly non-epileptic seizures 7. If on psychotropic medications may choose to continue during the duration of the study at current doses, but consent to not modifying medication doses or switching to alternative psychotropic regimens during the trial 8. In good general health, as ascertained by medical history 9. Females of reproductive age (ages 18 to 50) must have a negative urine pregnancy test, performed onsite, and documented in the study record within 72 hours prior to the first TMS session Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of clinical concern for concomitant epileptic seizures or epilepsy 2. History of ongoing psychosis, mania, active alcohol or substance use disorder as screened by the PSQ, YMRS, AUDIT, and DAST-10 3. History of positive screening urine test for drugs of abuse within the last year: cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates 4. Active suicidal intent or a score \>2 on question 3 of the HAM-D 5. Use of medications known to lower the seizure threshold at doses that may increase this risk in the setting of rTMS-iTBS (i.e. buproprion at \>300 mg, combinations of tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics… as determined by investigators) 6. History of central nervous system surgeries or clinically relevant structural brain lesions 7. Significant or unstable cardiac, metabolic, oncologic, psychiatric, developmental, or neurologic condition(s) or treatments that may impact safe participation in the study as determined by the study investigators (e.g. poorly-controlled heart failure, current or past cardiac arrhythmia, sustained systolic blood pressure \>180, labile diabetes, significant electrolyte abnormality, brain cancer, cognitive impairment, neurodevelopmental disorders, autism spectrum disorder, mania, schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, moderate to severe brain injury) 8. Participation in any clinical trial with an investigational drug or device within the past month or concurrent to study participation 9. History of TMS exposure 10. TMS contraindications (e.g., ferromagnetic implants, cochlear implants, conditions or treat-ments that lower seizure threshold - as determined by study investigators). 11. Current pregnancy or desire to become pregnant during study duration without contraceptive plan 12. Are a prisoner or in police custody at the time of eligibility screening
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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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Institute of Psychiatry, Brain Stimulation Department
RECRUITINGCharleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
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