NCT03331939

Brief Summary

The purpose of this investigation is data pilot study of the effect of theta frequency stimulation of the vagus nerve on cognitive performance in patients with refractory epilepsy. We will compare the effects of no stimulation, theta frequency (5 Hz), and 'standard' beta frequency stimulation (25-30 Hz) on cognitive measures. We hypothesize that theta frequency VNS will have a positive effect on memory retention. The goal of this study to provide initial data to inform the design of a larger clinical trial to examine the efficacy of theta VNS.

Trial Health

55
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
2

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2017

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Status
terminated

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 6, 2017

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 31, 2017

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

October 31, 2017

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 1, 2017

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 6, 2017

Completed
Last Updated

November 6, 2017

Status Verified

October 1, 2017

Enrollment Period

10 months

First QC Date

November 1, 2017

Last Update Submit

November 1, 2017

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • California Verbal and Learning Test 2nd edition group 1

    Test scored with lower values indicating worse memory and higher values indicating better memory. Minimum Value: -16 Maximum Value: 16

    hour 1.5

  • California Verbal and Learning Test 2nd edition group 2

    Test scored with lower values indicating worse memory and higher values indicating better memory. Minimum Value: -16 Maximum Value: 16

    hour 2.25

  • California Verbal and Learning Test 2nd edition group 3

    Test scored with lower values indicating worse memory and higher values indicating better memory. Minimum Value: -16 Maximum Value: 16

    hour 3

Study Arms (3)

No stimulation

EXPERIMENTAL

All patients will receive three different stimulations

Other: no stimulation

Beta (25-30 Hz)

OTHER

Vagal nerve stimulator will be set to Beta (25-30 Hz)

Other: beta (25-30 Hz)

Theta (5 Hz)

OTHER

Vagal nerve stimulator will be set to Theta (5 Hz)

Other: Theta (5 Hz)

Interventions

Vagal nerve stimulator will be set to no stimulation

No stimulation

Vagal nerve stimulator will be set to beta (25-30 Hz)

Beta (25-30 Hz)

Vagal nerve stimulator will be set to beta (5 Hz)

Theta (5 Hz)

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Diagnosis of Refractory Epilepsy
  • Previously implanted vagal nerve stimulator
  • Willingness and ability to undergo temporary changes to their VNS device settings

You may not qualify if:

  • \<18 years of age
  • Adults unable to consent
  • Pregnant women
  • Prisoners
  • \>20 on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
  • \<24 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)
  • Adults with diagnosis of developmental delay, intellectual disability, or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
  • Adults with reported history of learning disability.
  • Adults unable to use a computer with their dominant hand.
  • Status Epilepticus within the past 6 months

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Drug Resistant Epilepsy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

EpilepsyBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System Diseases

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Model Details: Pilot Study
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 1, 2017

First Posted

November 6, 2017

Study Start

January 6, 2017

Primary Completion

October 31, 2017

Study Completion

October 31, 2017

Last Updated

November 6, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-10

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share