Clinical Trial: First Study With a Brain Implant to Help Locked-in Patients Communicate at Home

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Utrecht Neural Prosthesis (UNP): A Pilot Study on Controllability of Brain Signals and Application in locked-in Patients

Brief Summary: In this study a new means of communication for people with locked-in syndrome will be tested. The investigators will record brain signals directly from the surface of the brain by means of a completely implantable system. These brain signals are fed wirelessly into an assistive technology device and will control this device for communication and environmental control at the users home.

Detailed Summary: In this pilot study we will provide locked-in people with a new means of communication which has not been possible up to now. For the first time, we will test whether we can record and decode neural signals obtained directly from the brain, for control over a computer. The target population is people with locked-in syndrome. For these patients there is no technique available to allow them to communicate unaided. We have developed a brain-computer interface (BCI) system that can read activity directly from the brain, and can convert the activity to a digital switch. The system, called the Utrecht Neural Prosthesis (UNP), consists of an implantable amplifier for electrical brain signals, a set of electrodes positioned on the surface of the brain and a wireless receiver, placed outside of the body. A dedicated computer will convert the signals to electrical pulses for standard Assistive Technology devices. The UNP can in principle enable the patient to engage in any activity that is offered by commercial Assistive Technology companies that can be performed with switch signals, for instance operating home apparatus or writing text. Most importantly, we aim to achieve unsupervised function of the BCI, meaning that the patient will be able to use it at home without the aid of researchers or other experts (but with minimal caregiver assistance).
Sponsor: UMC Utrecht

Current Primary Outcome: Unsupervised BCI performance [ Time Frame: up to 1 year ]

The system correctly detects a switch brain signal within 10 sec in a real life, cognitively engaging context, such as operating a spelling device. A formal test has been designed, in which the patient has to copy a 30 character sentence within 30 minutes, with a margin of 20% faulty characters.


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Patient Satisfaction [ Time Frame: up to 1 year ]

subjective ratings, hours use of BCI system per week, quality of life


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: UMC Utrecht

Dates:
Date Received: August 21, 2014
Date Started: November 2013
Date Completion: November 2018
Last Updated: November 8, 2016
Last Verified: November 2016