UnknownNot Applicable

EEG Monitoring in the Emergency Department

United States10 participantsStarted 2019-09-06

Plain-language summary

This study seeks to investigate whether drug effects in suspected overdose patients could be identified using the electroencephalogram (EEG). From previous work it is known that different classes of anesthetic drugs have specific "EEG signatures" related to the drug mechanisms. Many of the drugs of abuse that are frequently encountered in overdose patients are similar or identical to anesthetic drugs. The hypothesis for this study is that the EEG could be used to characterize the brain effects of intoxicants using EEG in the ED setting. Such monitoring could one day help clinicians and first responders at the point-of-care make more informed decisions to improve the care of overdose patients.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients aged 18 years and older who present to the ED with suspected use of a potential drug of abuse Exclusion Criteria: * Hemodynamic instability or other acute medical condition for which the primary treating team does not thing it would be appropriate or safe for the study staff to approach the patient * The patient has an overt head trauma or deformity of the face which would preclude application of the forehead EEG monitoring lead * The patient has dermatological issues or skin conditions on the forehead * The patient has known dementia and/or mental impairment * The patient is a prisoner * The patient is an employee or student at one of the study sites.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Timeframe: 24 hours

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04070521

SponsorMassachusetts General Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2019-10-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Drug Overdose trials