VR Fear Conditioning with Brain and Bodily Response in RNS-treated Epilepsy/PTSD
Official title: Intracranial Recording and Stimulation of the Human Hippocampal-Amygdala Circuit During Virtual Reality Fear Conditioning
Run by University of California, Los Angeles · NCT07216222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how people with an implanted RNS device respond to fear-related cues in a virtual reality setting to see how brain and body signals relate to fear learning.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, Los Angeles Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 1, 2028 |
| Study ends | February 28, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | October 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07216222 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18-70 with an implanted NeuroPace RNS system for epilepsy or post-traumatic stress disorder who can tolerate VR and neuropsychological testing.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals without an implanted RNS device or those unable to participate in VR-based tasks 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
Participants wear a VR headset to experience fear and safety cues while their brain activity, heart rate, and sweating are monitored. Safe, mild electrical pulses are delivered through the RNS device during the learning tasks. The study aims to map connections between VR-based fear conditioning, neural signals, and autonomic responses in adults with epilepsy or post-traumatic stress disorder who have an RNS implant. The research may improve understanding of anxiety disorders and how fear memories form and can be treated in the future. This is an interventional study exploring neuromodulation as part of a fear-learning paradigm.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could inform new approaches to treating anxiety disorders by clarifying how fear learning relates to brain and body responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in fear conditioning and neuromodulation has shown related brain-body correlations, but this exact VR+RNS approach is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male * Female * Between 18 and 70 years of age * Adequate visual and auditory acuity to allow neuropsychological testing * Have undergone surgical placement of NeuroPace RNS System for the treatment of epilepsy or post-traumatic stress disorder Exclusion Criteria: \- History of traumatic brain injury
Where it's running
-
UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jonny Baham
- Email: jangresearchlab.ucla@gmail.com
- Phone: 424-242-2423
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Veterans With TBI and PCS
This study tests whether 40 HBOT sessions can change blood biomarkers in veterans with traumatic brain injury and persistent symptoms, and whether PTSD affects those biomarker changes.
-
Internet-delivered ACT for youth with PTSD and chronic pain
A small pilot study will test a web-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy program for teens and young adults with PTSD and chronic pain to see if it helps with symptoms and functioning.
-
Reboxetine plus Ritalin vs Dog-Assisted Therapy for PTSD
This study tests whether a drug combo of reboxetine and methylphenidate works better than dog-assisted therapy for people with PTSD.
-
Floatation-REST for frontline workers with post-traumatic stress symptoms
This early pilot tests whether two 60-minute Floatation-REST sessions can be safely tried by frontline healthcare workers and first responders who have post-traumatic stress symptoms, compared to watching a documentary.
-
Short-Term Intensive PTSD Treatment for Military Personnel
This trial tests whether a brief, massed form of CPT and EMDR can quickly reduce PTSD symptoms and related cognitive problems in active-duty military personnel.
-
Exposure by Assessment: Testing AMQ-based EMA on Intrusive Trauma Memories in PTSD
We’re testing whether daily prompts to focus on a traumatic memory (vs. a neutral memory) using a simple at-home EMA can reduce intrusive PTSD memories and overall PTSD symptoms.
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.