Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 21Years +
All Genders
ID03698149

A High-Performance ECoG-based Neural Interface for Communication and Neuroprosthetic Control

Led by Karunesh Ganguly · Updated on 2026-05-05

3

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

K

Karunesh Ganguly

Lead Sponsor

N

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are exploring the use of electrocorticography (ECoG) signals to control complex devices for motor and speech functions in adults who have severe neurological disorders such as ALS, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophies. This study aims to determine if brain signals recorded directly from the brain's surface can be used to operate robotic systems and generate speech, providing new communication and neuroprosthetic options for affected individuals. Participants will use a high-performance ECoG-based neural interface involving subdural cortical electrodes combined with the Blackrock NeuroPort Array device. The study involves training and assessing participants' ability to control a robotic system and produce speech via brain signals. The intervention is device-based, and follow-up includes a long-term monitoring period of up to 6 years after implantation to track safety and functional outcomes. During the study, participants will undergo neurological assessments and training with the ECoG device. Researchers will monitor safety by tracking treatment-emergent adverse events and evaluate the primary and secondary objectives related to motor and speech control capabilities. The study includes regular follow-up visits over several years to assess device performance, participant function, and tolerability of the implant. Total participation may last up to 6 years post-implantation for ongoing safety and efficacy evaluation.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

ECoG BMI for Motor and Speech Control

Who Can Participate

Age: 21Years +
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Age over 21 years
  • Limited upper limb use due to neurological conditions such as stroke, ALS, multiple sclerosis, cervical spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, muscular dystrophy, myopathy, or severe neuropathy
  • Disability score of 4 or greater on the Modified Rankin Scale causing loss of independence and inability to perform daily activities
  • For stroke or spinal cord injury, symptoms must have started at least 1 year ago
  • Must live within a two-hour drive of UCSF
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Inability to understand or read English
  • Unable to give informed consent
  • Dementia based on history, physical exam, and MMSE
  • Active depression (BDI over 20) or other active psychiatric illnesses such as anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, or personality disorders
  • History of suicide attempt or suicidal thoughts
  • History of substance abuse
  • Co-morbid conditions including ongoing anticoagulation, uncontrolled hypertension, cancer, or major organ failure
  • Inability to comply with study follow-up visits
  • Prior intracranial surgery
  • History of seizures
  • Immunocompromised status
  • Active infection
  • Presence of CSF drainage system or active CSF leak
  • Need for diathermy, electroconvulsive therapy, or transcranial magnetic stimulation for chronic conditions
  • Implanted electronic devices like neurostimulator, pacemaker/defibrillator, or medication pump, or metal foreign bodies in head/neck
  • Allergies or sensitivities to materials in the Blackrock NeuroPort Array or PMT Subdural Cortical Electrode devices

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Implementation

Duration - Not specified

Participants undergo implantation of the PMT/Blackrock Combination Device, which involves placing electrodes on the surface of the brain for neural signal recording.

1 surgical visit (in-person)

Treatment

Duration - Not specified

Participants receive training and assessment on controlling a complex robotic system using the implanted ECoG-based neural interface and testing the ability to produce speech from brain signals.

Multiple training and assessment visits (in-person)

Long-term Monitoring

Duration - Up to 6 years post-implant period

Participants are monitored for safety, device performance, and study outcomes up to 6 years post-implant to assess adverse events and neural interface functionality.

Periodic follow-up visits over 6 years

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

University of California San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States, 94158

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

A

Adelyn Tu-Chan

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

NA

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Purpose

DEVICE_FEASIBILITY

Number of Arms

1

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Published Research Related To This Trial

Implications of shared motor and perceptual activations on the sensorimotor cortex for neuroprosthetic decoding.

Alexander B Silva, Jessie R Liu, Vanessa R Anderson...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40720979

Implications of shared motor and perceptual activations on the sensorimotor cortex for neuroprosthetic decoding.

Alexander B Silva, Jessie R Liu, Vanessa R Anderson...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40343020