A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of NaviFUS™ System Neuromodulating Treatment for Patients With Drug Resistant Epilepsy

Last updated: November 12, 2024
Sponsor: NaviFUS Corporation
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Epilepsy

Seizure Disorders

Treatment

Focused ultrasound (FUS) treatment

Clinical Study ID

NCT06492720
NF-2023-02
  • Ages 18-65
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This will be a prospective, pilot, open-label, two-arm, parallel-group, randomized study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) neuromodulation using NaviFUS System in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Male or female patients aged over than and equal to 18 years old.

  2. Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (defined as at least 3 ASM failed) and 1-4 ASMat the time of study entry.

  3. Epileptogenic focus (or foci) is determined by comprehensive presurgical evaluation.

  4. At least 4 focal-onset seizures with objectively visible or significantly disablingmanifestations in the 8-week baseline and at least one seizure per month in thebaseline.

  5. Willing and able to sign written informed consent and be able to comply with thestudy protocol during the study period.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Patients with concurrent active psychiatric or mood disorders that have beenassessed to interfere with participation in the study.

  2. Presence of pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), permanentmedication pumps, cochlear implants, or deep brain stimulation (DBS).

  3. The skull bone area traversed by the sonication pathway is covered by scars, scalpdisorders (e.g., eczema), wounds, or atrophy of the scalp.

  4. Image documented calcified lesion in the FUS exposure path.

  5. Abnormal coagulation profile:

  6. Platelet (PLT) < 100,000/μL.

  7. prothrombin time (PT) > 15 sec.

  8. activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) > 45 sec.

  9. international normalized ratio (INR) > 1.5.

  10. Patients requiring anticoagulant medications.

  11. Pregnant or breast-feeding women.

  12. Coexisting medical problems of sufficient severity to limit compliance with thestudy.

  13. Known sensitivity/allergy to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) contrast agents or anyof its components; having metallic implants that are assessed as unsuitable for MRIexamination.

  14. Use of any recreational drugs or history of drug addiction or known history ofsubstance or alcohol abuse.

  15. Patients have received an investigational drug or an investigational device within 4weeks prior to the study

  16. Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, might affect studyendpoints or might increase the risk to the patients or decrease the chance ofobtaining satisfactory data needed to achieve the objectives of the study.

  17. Any ASM treatment change during the baseline (screening period).

  18. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) dosing changes within 2 months before baseline (screening period).

  19. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) within 2 months before baseline (screeningperiod).

  20. Patient has an IQ < 70, based on the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI-III or IV).

  21. Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, patient not applicable toparticipate this study.

Study Design

Total Participants: 16
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Focused ultrasound (FUS) treatment
Phase:
Study Start date:
September 01, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
August 10, 2026

Study Description

The study aims to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of LIFU neuromodulation in DRE patients, showing its ability to decrease targeted neuronal activity and alleviate epileptic seizures.

Drug-resistant epilepsy (at least 3 anti-seizure medication failed) patients whose epileptogenic foci have been determined by comprehensive presurgical evaluation and meet all eligibility criteria may participate in this study by providing informed consent. Eligible patients will undergo a 8-week baseline observation screening period and will be asked to keep a 8-week seizure diary. This diary will serve as a baseline prior to treatment and will continue to be recorded throughout the treatment and follow-up period.

This study will enroll a maximum of 16 eligible patients. Eligible patients will be randomized into two groups to receive three-consecutive 5-minute twice (low dose group) or three-consecutive 10-minute FUS treatment twice (high dose group) in a week using assigned ultrasound exposure doses generated by the NaviFUS System. Following treatment, there will be a 24-week follow-up period. Patients will be allowed concomitant use of anti-seizure medications (ASMs) throughout the whole study period.

Connect with a study center

  • Taipei Veterans General Hospital

    Taipei,
    Taiwan

    Active - Recruiting

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