Non-invasive Deep Brain Stimulation to Improve Spatial Navigation Abilities in Individuals Follow… (NCT07271524) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Non-invasive Deep Brain Stimulation to Improve Spatial Navigation Abilities in Individuals Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Switzerland25 participantsStarted 2025-12
Plain-language summary
Impairments in spatial memory and spatial navigation are commonly reported amongst patients presenting post-traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this study, the investigators examine the effect of non-invasive deep brain stimulation of the hippocampal-entorhinal complex (HC-EC), a key region supporting navigation abilities, on spatial navigation performance in TBI patients. Using a virtual reality task where participants must first encode and later recall the location of objects in a virtual arena, the investigators contrast performance while active versus control stimulation is applied to the HC-EC. The investigators additionally record brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) prior to, during, and after task performance to characterize the neural correlates of spatial navigation abilities in TBI patients, and how they are affected by stimulation.
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:
* Age ≥ 18 years
* Clinical diagnosis of TBI
* No history of other severe neurological or psychiatric disorders
Exclusion Criteria:
* Unable to consent
* Severe neuropsychiatric (e.g., major depression, severe dementia) or unstable systemic diseases (e.g., severe progressive and unstable cancer, life threatening infectious diseases)
* Severe sensory or cognitive impairment or musculoskeletal dysfunctions prohibiting to understand instructions or to perform the experimental tasks
* Inability to follow or non-compliance with the procedures of the study
* Contraindications for NIBS or MRI:
* Electronic or ferromagnetic medical implants/device, non-MRI compatible metal implant
* History of seizures
* Medication that significantly interacts with NIBS being benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants and antipsychotics
* Regular use of narcotic drugs
* Pregnancy
* Request of not being informed in case of incidental findings
* Concomitant participation in another trial involving probing of neuronal plasticity
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
Speed in the spatial navigation task
Timeframe: During intervention (approximate duration of intervention = 40 minutes, administered in a single session)
2
Accuracy in the spatial navigation task
Timeframe: During intervention (approximate duration of intervention = 40 minutes, administered in a single session)