MEP Up-conditioning to Target Corticospinal Plasticity
United States11 participantsStarted 2025-05-27
Plain-language summary
Individuals with chronic cervical spinal cord injury will complete a 10-week training protocol where participants receive non-invasive brain stimulation and feedback on the size of the corresponding muscle response (wrist extensor).
Investigators will assess the impact of the brain stimulation training on 1) the brain-to-spinal cord-to-muscle connection and 2) motor functions of the arm and hand. Also, brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging will be collected before and after the training. The imaging measurements will tell investigators about how spinal damage, brain function, and brain structure relate to motor presentation and the response to the training.
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 (≥18 yrs old)
* A history of injury to spinal cord at or above C6
* \>6 months post SCI
* Weak wrist extension at least unilaterally
* Expectation that current medication will be maintained without change for at least 3 months. Stable use of anti-spasticity medication (e.g., baclofen, diazepam, tizanidine) is accepted.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Motoneuron injury
* Medically unstable condition
* Cognitive impairment
* A history of epileptic seizures
* Metal implants in the cranium
* Implanted biomedical device in or above the chest (e.g., a cardiac pacemaker, cochlear implant)
* Extensive use of functional electrical stimulation to the arm on a daily basis
* Pregnancy (due to changes in posture and potential medical instability)
* Contraindications to MRI
* No measurable MEP elicited in the ECR
* Unable to produce any voluntary ECR EMG activity
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
1
Extensor Carpi Radialis (ECR) Motor Evoked Potential (MEP) amplitude
Timeframe: Reported as an average of the 6 baseline sessions (over weeks 1-2) and average of the last 6 conditioning sessions (over weeks 8-10)