NCT07179822 Motoneuron Recruitment and Motor Evoked Potential Up-Conditioning (MEP) in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
| NCT ID | NCT07179822 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Medical University of South Carolina |
| Condition | Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders (SCI/D) |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 15 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-11-03 |
| Primary Completion | 2027-09-30 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 15 participants in total. It began in 2025-11-03 with a primary completion date of 2027-09-30.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of a brain stimulation training to improve the function of brain-spinal cord- muscle connections. Because brain-to-muscle pathways are very important in our movement control, restoring function of these pathways may improve movement problems after injuries. Spinal cord injury causes damage to the brain-to-muscle connection. However, when the injury is "incomplete", there is a possibility that some of the brain-to-muscle pathways are still connected and may be trained to improve movement function. For examining brain-to-muscle pathways, investigators use a transcranial magnetic stimulator. Investigators hope that the results of this research study will help us develop new treatments for people who have movement disabilities. This study will require about 42 visits over the first 14 weeks, and another 6 visits over an additional 3 months. Each visit will take about 1 ½ hours.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult (≥18 yrs old) * a history of injury to spinal cord at or above C6 * neurologically stable (\>1 year post SCI) * medical clearance to participate * weak wrist extension at least unilaterally * expectation that current medication will be maintained without change for at least 3 months. * Stable use of anti-spasticity medication (e.g., baclofen, diazepam, tizanidine) is accepted. (Because only neurologically stable subjects will enter this study, medication changes will be unlikely.) * In participants with bilateral wrist extension weakness in whom Extensor Carpi Radialis (ECR) MEP can be elicited in both arms, the more severely impaired arm is studied. In participants with unilateral wrist weakness or in participants with bilateral wrist weakness in whom an ECR MEP can be elicited in only one arm, that arm is studied. Exclusion Criteria: * motoneuron injury * unstable medical condition * cognitive impairment (because the studied intervention is a learning-based intervention) * a history of epileptic seizures * a pre-existing or confounding neurological condition (e.g., history of MS, Stroke, Parkinson's disease) * metal implants in the cranium * implanted biomedical device in or above the chest (e.g., a cardiac pacemaker, cochlear implant) * no measurable MEP elicited in the ECR * inability to produce any voluntary ECR EMG activity * extensive use of functional electrical stimulation to the arm on a daily basis (as it may interfere with or augment the effects of MEP conditioning itself) * pregnancy (due to changes in posture and potential medical instability) * inability or unwillingness of subject or legal guardian/representative to give informed consent
Contact & Investigator
Aiko Thompson, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Medical University of South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07179822 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders (SCI/D). Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07179822 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07179822 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at stecb@musc.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07179822 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Charleston, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07179822 clinical trial?
NCT07179822 is sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina. The principal investigator is Aiko Thompson, PhD at Medical University of South Carolina. The trial plans to enroll 15 participants.