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Intracranial Stimulation for Memory Enhancement

N/A
Recruiting
Research Sponsored by Washington University School of Medicine
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Diagnosed with epilepsy.
Diagnosed with epilepsy
Must not have
Not diagnosed with epilepsy
Unable to provide informed consent
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 5 years
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial uses small electrical pulses to stimulate a part of the brain called the amygdala. It targets patients with memory problems, such as those from brain injuries or PTSD. The treatment aims to improve memory by enhancing the brain's natural memory circuits, especially when emotions are involved. This method has been explored for various neurological and psychiatric conditions, including memory improvement and PTSD.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for English-speaking individuals who can consent to participate, have been diagnosed with epilepsy, and are scheduled for long-term video monitoring of seizures. They must be set to receive intracranial depth electrodes in specific brain regions related to memory.
What is being tested?
The study is testing the effects of stimulating the amygdala—a part of the brain—on memory functions. It aims to improve understanding relevant to conditions like traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder that affect memory.
What are the potential side effects?
While not explicitly stated, potential side effects may include discomfort at electrode sites, headaches, or changes in mood or cognition due to stimulation.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I have been diagnosed with epilepsy.
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I have been diagnosed with epilepsy.
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I am scheduled for a long-term brain video monitoring to locate my seizure origins.
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I have electrodes implanted in specific parts of my brain.
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I have electrodes implanted in specific brain areas for monitoring.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I have not been diagnosed with epilepsy.
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I am unable to understand and agree to the study's details on my own.
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I cannot understand or speak English.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~5 years
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 5 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Free recall memory discriminability index (proportion recalled)
Recognition memory discriminability index (proportion recalled)
Secondary study objectives
Amplitude of SPEP response to amygdala stimulation
LFP of bad memory state
Latency of SPEP response to amygdala stimulation
+2 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Brain StimulationExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Neurosurgical epilepsy patients that undergo placement of medial temporal electrode for seizure localizations will be recruited. All participants will view a series of images of emotionally-neutral objects on a computer screen. After each item presentation, they will randomly undergo either active-BLAES or sham-stimulation. Over subsequent days, free recall and recognition memory for these items, relative to new distractor items will be tested. Memory for items presented with and without stimulation will be compared. Brain activity recorded in the medial temporal lobe during item presentations will be used to predict subsequent memory. Such good and bad memory states (biomarkers) will be used to perform closed-loop stimulation when bad memory states are detected in order to enhance subsequent memory.

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.
Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
The most common treatments for memory loss often involve pharmacological agents and behavioral therapies that target the brain's memory-related structures, such as the amygdala and medial temporal lobe. For instance, memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, is used to regulate glutamate activity, which can help in reducing neuronal damage and improving cognitive function. Behavioral therapies may include techniques to enhance emotional engagement, which can activate the amygdala and improve the consolidation of long-term memories. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for memory loss patients as they highlight the importance of both chemical and emotional factors in memory retention, offering a more comprehensive approach to treatment.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Washington University School of MedicineLead Sponsor
1,997 Previous Clinical Trials
2,298,671 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Intracranial Stimulation (Other) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05065450 — N/A
Memory Loss Research Study Groups: Brain Stimulation
Memory Loss Clinical Trial 2023: Intracranial Stimulation Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05065450 — N/A
Intracranial Stimulation (Other) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05065450 — N/A
Memory Loss Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT05065450 — N/A
~33 spots leftby Nov 2026