Assessing social influence on brain activity in epilepsy patients
Official title: Effects of Social Feedback on Intracranial EEG
Run by Trustees of Dartmouth College · NCT06975800 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how feedback from patients about their doctors affects brain activity in people with epilepsy who are getting ready for surgery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Trustees of Dartmouth College Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lebanon, New Hampshire) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 6, 2023 |
| Main results expected | February 28, 2027 |
| Study ends | February 28, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | July 1, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06975800 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-65 with refractory epilepsy who are undergoing intracranial EEG recording.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with additional neurological or psychiatric conditions, or those unable to provide informed consent, may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study evaluates how social feedback affects neural recordings in patients undergoing surgery for epilepsy. A total of 24 patients, aged 18 to 65, will have electrodes implanted in their brains to localize areas causing seizures. During a one-hour session, participants will rate their healthcare providers on traits like warmth and competence while their brain activity is recorded. The study aims to understand the relationship between social influence and brain responses in a clinical setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of how social factors influence brain activity, potentially improving patient-provider interactions.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of assessing social influence on iEEG is novel, related studies have explored the impact of social factors on neurological conditions.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients must be between 18-65 years of age. * Patients must have a diagnosis of refractory epilepsy undergoing intracranial EEG recording for clinical purposes. * Patients with a legal guardian will be considered for participation if they are interested and, in the judgment of the research team, they are capable of performing the cognitive tasks required of the study. In those instances, the patient and their legal guardian will both participate in the informed consent process, with the legal guardian signing the consent form. Exclusion Criteria: * Patient has additional neurological condition (such as stroke or dementia) or a psychiatric condition (such as active psychosis or suicidal ideation) and are deemed inappropriate for the study. * Patients are not able to provide informed consent for any reason (e.g. encephalopathic, experiencing a seizure).
Where it's running
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Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Tor D Wager, PhD
- Email: Tor.D.Wager@Dartmouth.edu
- Phone: 603-646-2196
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.