Using focused ultrasound to treat drug-resistant epilepsy
Official title: An Open-label, Non-randomized, Single-arm Pilot Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Multiple Pulsed Focused Ultrasound Treatment in Patients With Drug Resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Run by Genovate Biotechnology Co., Ltd., · NCT05947656 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new noninvasive ultrasound treatment for people with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy to see if it can help control their seizures and improve their quality of life.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 18 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Genovate Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 1 site (Melbourne, Victoria) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 2, 2023 |
| Main results expected | June 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 10, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05947656 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy who experience frequent seizures despite medication.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not have temporal lobe epilepsy or those whose seizures are well-controlled with medication 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 clinical trial evaluates the safety and efficacy of the NaviFUS System, a noninvasive focused ultrasound technology, in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Participants will undergo a 60-day screening period followed by treatment with focused ultrasound delivered to targeted areas of the brain over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. The study aims to assess the impact of this innovative approach on seizure control and overall quality of life. The trial includes comprehensive monitoring and assessments to ensure patient safety and treatment effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a noninvasive option for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, potentially improving seizure control and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using focused ultrasound for neuromodulation in epilepsy have shown promising results, indicating potential for this novel approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of drug resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) 2. Patients must experience at least four (4) observable seizures over the 60-day baseline, each on a separate day. 3. Patients have focal-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization. 4. Patients have had at least 24 hours video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring and comprehensive epilepsy evaluation confirming TLE. 5. Seizure medication treatment is anticipated to remain stable during the trial, except for rescue medicines or occasional extra doses of ongoing medicines, as required. 6. Patients should be capable of and willing to completing assessments and neuropsychological testing in English either alone or with the help of the study partner (where appropriate), per local guidelines. A study partner is a carer or family member of the patient. 7. Patients and study partner (if applicable) who in the Investigator's opinion are reliable and able to use the seizure diary to record seizure throughout the study and are willing to comply with study procedures and visits. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients who have primary generalized epilepsy or non-epileptic seizures in the last two (2) years. 2. More than two (2) seizure onset zones (foci) (except bitemporal foci) or unknown likely site of seizure onset, as determined by usual clinical, electroencephalography (EEG) and imaging practice. 3. Patients who have experienced tonic-clonic status epilepticus in the three (3) months leading up to enrollment in the study. 4. Presence of devices including but not limited to cardiac pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), permanent medication pumps, cochlear implants, responsive neurostimulator (RNS) or deep brain stimulation (DBS). Vagus nerve stimulators (VNS) do not represent an exclusion criterion, but settings should be stable throughout the trial. 5. Patients with clips or other metallic implanted objects in the FUS exposure path, except shunts. 6. Patients with more than thirty percent (30%) of the skull area traversed by the sonication pathway covered by scars, scalp disorders (e.g., eczema), or atrophy of the scalp at Screening. 7. Patients who have a medical or surgical history of severe systemic disease(s), such as (but not limited to) coronary artery disease, myocardial infarct, progressive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension or abnormal ECG, severe pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery pressure \> 90 mmHg), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), adult respiratory distress syndrome, hepatic and renal insufficiency (ALT or AST 3 times above normal range; serum creatinine \> 1.3 mg/dL), diabetic patients with poor control of blood sugar (HbA1c \> 8.5 %) at Screening. 8. History of intracranial hemorrhage. 9. History of multiple strokes, or a stroke within the six (6) months prior to Screening. 10. Patients with intracranial aneurysms requiring treatment or arterial venous malformations (AVMs) requiring treatment at any time. 11. Presence of central nervous system (CNS) disease(s) other than epilepsy including but not limited to infections of the CNS (e.g., syphilis, Lyme disease, borreliosis, viral or bacterial meningitis/encephalitis, human immunodeficiency virus \[HIV\] encephalopathy), cerebral vascular disease, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, alcoholic encephalopathy within three (3) years prior to Screening. 12. Patients with concurrent major psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, severe depression, active suicidal ideation, active psychosis (excluding time-limited postictal psychosis) or psychiatric hospitalization within one (1) year before Screening. 13. Prior diagnosis of cancer within the past two (2) years and evidence of continued malignancy within the past two (2) years (except for adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or in situ prostate cancer with normal prostate-specific antigens post resection). 14. Patients who are not able or willing to tolerate the required prolonged stationary semi-supine position during treatment. 15. Inability to tolerate MRI procedures or contraindication to MRI (e.g. claustrophobia, too large for MRI scanner), including, but not limited to, presence of pacemakers (with the exception of MRI-safe pacemakers), aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, or foreign metal objects in the eyes, skin, or other areas of the body that would contraindicate an MRI scan. 16. Patients who had major surgery six (6) weeks before study enrollment or who are not fully recovered from a surgical procedure or with planned surgery during study period or within fourteen (14) days thereafter. 17. Patients who have received radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) within two (2) months of Screening.
Where it's running
-
The Alfred
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Terrence O'Brien, Prof. — The Alfred
- Study coordinator: Reannan Duong, Ms.
- Email: re.duong@alfred.org.au
- Phone: +61 3 9076 9991
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Evaluating a new ultrasound treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy
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Non-Invasive Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound Stimulation for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
This study tests whether low intensity focused ultrasound can help reduce seizures in adults with drug‑resistant epilepsy.
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iVEAcare Neuromodulation System for drug‑resistant epilepsy: a feasibility look
This study tests whether the iVEAcare neuromodulation system is safe and can help reduce seizures and improve quality of life in people with drug‑resistant epilepsy.
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Spatial scene memory testing for people with temporal lobe epilepsy having surgery
This project tests whether a virtual tour memory task combined with brain recordings can show how adults with temporal lobe epilepsy recognize and recall places.
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Real-world use of the OneRF Ablation System for epilepsy
This registry collects real-world outcomes and device performance from patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who are treated with SEEG-guided RF ablation using the OneRF system.
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.