Deep brain stimulation for severe facial pain caused by a pontine lesion
Deep Brain Stimulation for Refractory Trigeminal Neuralgia with a Pontine Lesion: a Pilot Study
PHASE1 · Université de Sherbrooke · NCT05451251
This study is testing if deep brain stimulation can help people with severe facial pain from a pontine lesion, especially those who haven't found relief from other treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | PHASE1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 6 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Université de Sherbrooke (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Sherbrooke, Quebec) |
| Trial ID | NCT05451251 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using deep brain stimulation to treat refractory trigeminal neuralgia associated with pontine lesions, commonly seen in multiple sclerosis patients. Participants will undergo implantation of a deep brain stimulation lead to modulate pain signals, addressing the severe facial pain that has not responded to conventional treatments. The study focuses on patients who have experienced significant pain despite multiple drug therapies and surgical interventions. By targeting the pontine lesion, the researchers hope to provide a novel approach to pain management in this challenging patient population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with refractory trigeminal neuralgia due to a pontine lesion who have failed multiple drug therapies and surgical options.
Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to MRI or medical contraindications to the deep brain stimulation procedure may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve pain control for patients suffering from refractory trigeminal neuralgia.
How similar studies have performed: While deep brain stimulation has been explored in various contexts, this specific application for trigeminal neuralgia with pontine lesions is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults of at least 18 years old * Refractory trigeminal neuralgia : failure of at least 3 drugs and at least two lesioning surgical interventions (radiosurgery, percutaneous rhizotomy, or open rhizotomy). * Pontine lesion proved by MRI in contact with trigeminal nerve tract Exclusion Criteria: * Absolute contraindication to MRI * Medical contraindication to the procedure
Where this trial is running
Sherbrooke, Quebec
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS) — Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Christian Iorio-Morin, MD, PhD, FRCS(C)
- Email: Christian.Iorio-Morin@usherbrooke.ca
- Phone: 819-346-1110
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Trigeminal Neuralgia, Multiple sclerosis, Deep brain stimulation, Pontine lesion