NCT01415362

Closed-loop System Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Epilepsy

Development of a Closed-loop Detect-and-treat System Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Epilepsy

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 6 (actual)
• Sponsor: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

In this pilot study, the researchers investigated the feasibility of a closed-loop electroencephalography (EEG) / transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) system for treatment of epilepsy. They looked to see the feasibility of triggering tDCS stimulation within 10 seconds of a detected EEG partial-onset seizure, and also a proof-of-principle determination of whether tDCS applied during this vulnerable period may be feasible to prevent the oncoming seizure. This study required 5 visits over the course of approximately 8 weeks. Each visit was separated by at least 2 weeks. Two of the visits had 24-hour EEG monitoring sessions. During these two sessions, the EEG and tDCS were hooked into a closed loop system, such that when seizure activity wasdetected, the tDCS was triggered to deliver stimulation. Subjects received active stimulation or sham stimulation sessions during the first 24-hour visit, and the opposite during the second. The subjects were randomized and counterbalanced. We have also added a healthy subjects cohort to assess the feasibility of the closed loop system. In order to test the proof-of-concept of this system, the experiment will focus on detecting and acting upon alpha- and beta-band changes traced in the EEG activity that is being recorded, and provide tDCS stimulation based upon those changes. We will enroll 6 subjects who will have 2 visits each. During these two visits subjects will be randomized to active or sham stimulation sessions and receive the opposite during their second visit.

Conditions

• Epilepsy
• Seizures

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation	For both active and sham tDCS, the device will be hooked up to the closed loop system, using electrodes of 35cm\^2. During active tDCS, the subject will receive 2mA for 5 min. During sham tDCS, the current will only be active for 30 seconds (current ramping up and then down) to simulate the sensations of active tDCS. The subject will undergo either active or sham stimulation for their first 24-hour EEG monitoring visit, and the opposite intervention on the second 24-hour EEG monitoring visit.

Timeline

• Start date: 2011-07-01
• Primary completion: 2014-07-01
• Completion: 2014-07-01
• First posted: 2011-08-11
• Last updated: 2020-04-24

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States