Pterygopalatine Ganglion Stimulation for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy (NCT07570355) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Pterygopalatine Ganglion Stimulation for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy
China62 participantsStarted 2026-06-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG) stimulation in adults with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Is PPG stimulation feasible to implement, as reflected by participant adherence to the intervention and completion of follow-up assessments? Is PPG stimulation safe, as assessed by the incidence of adverse events and clinical ophthalmic examinations? What are the preliminary effects of PPG stimulation on choroidal perfusion, retinal sensitivity, visual acuity, and the progression of GA lesion area?
Researchers will compare active PPG stimulation with sham stimulation (a procedure that mimics the intervention without delivering real stimulation) to assess feasibility and safety, while exploring potential therapeutic effects.
Participants will:
Receive active or sham PPG stimulation according to randomization over a 12-month study period Attend scheduled clinic visits for safety monitoring and multimodal ophthalmic assessments Undergo examinations including optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus autofluorescence imaging, microperimetry, and visual acuity testing
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years – 80 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:
* Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), as measured using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart, ranging from 25 to 80 letters (Snellen equivalent, 20/320 to 20/25).
* A confirmed diagnosis of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with no involvement of the foveal center. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging must demonstrate a total GA area of 2.5 to 17.5 mm² located within a 30° field centered on the fovea, with the presence of any pattern of increased autofluorescence at the junctional zone of GA. In cases of multifocal GA, at least one lesion must be ≥1.25 mm² in size.
* If both eyes meet the eligibility criteria, the eye with the worse BCVA will be selected as the study eye. If BCVA is equal in both eyes, the right eye will be designated as the study eye.
Exclusion Criteria:
* History or evidence of submacular surgery or other treatments for AMD in the study eye, with the exception of oral vitamin and mineral supplementation.
* History of intraocular surgery within 3 months prior to screening, or the presence of ocular conditions requiring surgical intervention during the study period.
* Receipt of any periocular or intravitreal injection therapy in the study eye within 3 months prior to screening.
* History or evidence of choroidal neovascularization in either eye, or the presence of any other retinal disease that may confound the assessment of macular structure or function (e.g., dia…
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
Proportion of participants who completed the trial
Timeframe: At 12 months
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07570355
SponsorShanghai Institute of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Meridian