Subcutaneous Intersectional Short Pulse Stimulation in Epileptic Patients

ConditionEpilepsy
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-65
SponsorSemmelweis University

About this trial

A subgaleal electrode-based system combined with the novel intersectional short-pulse (ISP) stimulation was developed to enable non-invasive, high-intensity neuromodulation. ISP consists of ultra-brief, distributed pulses to maximize electric field strength in target areas while minimizing adverse effects on non-target tissues. Early preclinical studies demonstrate its efficacy in disrupting pathological oscillations and reducing seizures in animal models. This study investigates how targeted electrical brain stimulation by ISP stimulation impacts brain activity in epilepsy patients. The research aims to determine if ISP stimulation delivered via electrodes placed outside and under the scalp can safely and effectively reduce seizure frequency and intensity. Participants include epilepsy patients who haven't responded adequately to medication and aren't eligible for surgery. By precisely tuning stimulation parameters and timing stimulation to specific seizure patterns detected by EEG monitoring, the study seeks to optimize this technique for therapeutic use. The goal is to establish safety and feasibility of this minimally invasive stimulation approach, as well as to achieve preliminary efficacy data thorugh the reduction of seizure durations.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Age between 18-65 years

Patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who, after non-invasive or invasive EEG monitoring and neuropsychological, epilepsy protocol cranial MRI, or FDG-PET/CT or FDG-PET/MRI and/or ictal SPECT, have been declared unfit for resective epilepsy surgery by an interdisciplinary epilepsy team.

Diagnosis of focal or idiopathic generalised epilepsy

With antiepileptic drugs, 4 or more focal seizures per month, or frequent spike-wave activity on EEG - min 10 sec/hour.

Disqualifiers

subjects under 18 years old

If the patient is suitable for resective surgery or if there are questions about the patient's suitability for resective surgery of autoimmune aetiology

Progressive brain lesions on MRI or a serious internal organ disease or coagulopathy considered serious by your doctor

Subjects who have an electrical energy transmitting implant implanted in the brain or other organ(s), including pacemakers, intracardiac defibrillators and any device meeting this definition

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Intersection short-pulse (ISP) stimulation

Treatment groups

30 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment group

Sponsors and collaborators

Semmelweis University

Lead sponsor

Neunos ZRt

Collaborator