Promoting Recovery After Brain Injury Using Focused Ultrasound

NCT ID: NCT07277309

Last Updated: 2025-12-11

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

36 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-12-31

Study Completion Date

2029-07-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The overall aim of this study is to develop an intervention that can help recovery in patients surviving severe brain injury but failing to fully recover. In particular, this project aims to (1) determine neurobehavioral responses to low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUP) in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) following brain injury, (2) determine neurophysiologic (EEG) responses to LIFUP in patients with DoC and (3) identify and evaluate ethical perspectives of patient representatives (family members and surrogate decision-makers) surrounding investigation of therapeutic neuromodulation technologies such as LIFUP in patients with DoC.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Aim 1: Determine neurobehavioral responses to LIFUP in patients with DoC. Aim 2: Determine neurophysiologic (EEG) responses to LIFUP in patients with DoC.

Aim 3: Identify and evaluate ethical perspectives of patient representatives (family members and surrogate decision-makers) surrounding investigation of therapeutic neuromodulation technologies such as LIFUP in patients with DoC.

Advanced MRI will be obtained to determine predictive neuroimaging signatures of responsiveness. This project will crucially inform the groundwork for a personalized, connectome-based approach to impactful therapeutic intervention for patients affected by DoC due to diverse pathologies across the brain injury care continuum and will inform an ethical framework for responsible development and deployment of therapeutic neuromodulation technologies.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Consciousness Disorders Disorders of Consciousness Due to Severe Brain Injury

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

LIFUP group

Participants will receive low-intensity focused ultrasound intervention. Participants are also anticipated to undergo advanced MRI and EEG. Surrogate decision makers (family members) and recovered patients will undergo a semi-structured interview.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Low-intensity focused ultrasound

Intervention Type DEVICE

Low-intensity focused ultrasound pulsations (LIFUP) will be delivered to the brain, along with advanced MRI and EEG. Surrogate decision makers (family members) and recovered patients will undergo a semi-structured interview.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Low-intensity focused ultrasound

Low-intensity focused ultrasound pulsations (LIFUP) will be delivered to the brain, along with advanced MRI and EEG. Surrogate decision makers (family members) and recovered patients will undergo a semi-structured interview.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Brain injury resulting in DoC diagnosis, following international guidelines
* At least 18 years of age
* Legally authorized representative (surrogate) available to consent

Exclusion Criteria

* History of neurological disorder other than the brain injury
* Metal implant or other condition precluding MRI
* Manifest continuous spontaneous movement (which would prevent safe/successful MRI)
* Participation in concurrent therapeutic study
* Pregnancy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

79 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Massachusetts General Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Michael J. Young, M.D., M.Phil

PI

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Massachusetts General Hospital (The General Hospital Corp.)

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Corporation, Inc.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Michael Young, MD, MPhil

Role: CONTACT

410-808-1196

Jason Lew, DO

Role: CONTACT

617-724-9247

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Michael Young, MD, MPhil

Role: primary

410-808-1196

Jason Lew, DO

Role: primary

617-724-9247

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

1K23NS140495

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

2025P002816

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Breathing Rescue for SUDEP Prevention
NCT05981755 RECRUITING NA