18 and older, any sex, with Refractory Epilepsy. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.
Results — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov
Per-arm endpoint measurements with 95% confidence intervals where reported. Source: trial results section.
Z-score Gamma Power in Amygdala Per Valence CategoryPrimary· 0 to 1000 MS following image presentation
Valence of each image is assessed by each subject using a Likert-type rating scale with a range of 1 to 7, where 1 represents most negative valence, 4 as neutral, and 7 as most positive. Valence categories are defined in the following manner: negative = 1.0 to 3.0, neutral = 3.1 to 5.0, negative = 5.1 to 7.0. Activation is measured by gamma frequency power (mµV²/30-100 Hz) at 0-1000 msec following image presentation in the basolateral amygdala electrode contact and compared to baseline defined as -500 msec to 0 of image presentation. Gamma power is transformed to z-score (baseline to following
Gamma power positive images
Group
Value
95% CI
Gamma Power in the Amygdala According to Valence Category
1.21
± 0.23
Gamma power, negative valence images
Group
Value
95% CI
Gamma Power in the Amygdala According to Valence Category
1.88
± 0.78
Gamma power, neutral images
Group
Value
95% CI
Gamma Power in the Amygdala According to Valence Category
1.24
± 0.24
Effect of Amygdala Stimulation on Perception of ValencePrimary· Valence ratings were assessed immediately following the viewing of each image during performance of the task.
Here we assess the effect of basolateral amygdala stimulation on valence ratings. Participants rate the emotional valence of each image in a Likert scale range of 1-7 (1= maximum negative valence, 4=maximum neutral valence, and 7 maximum positive valence) for each of the 96 images. We randomly apply electrical stimulation during perception and of 50% of the images presented. We analyze the effect of stimulation on image rating in the following manner: we grouped the images into three categories, negative (1 to 3), neutral (3.1 to 5), and positive (5.1 to 7) based on subject specific ratings. 2
Neutral no stimulation
Group
Value
95% CI
Entire Study Population
3.27
± 0.78
Neutral stimulation
Group
Value
95% CI
Entire Study Population
3.64
± 0.48
Positive valence; no stimulation
Group
Value
95% CI
Entire Study Population
5.26
± 0.67
Positive valence; stimulation
Group
Value
95% CI
Entire Study Population
5.08
± 0.94
Negative valence, no stimulation
Group
Value
95% CI
Entire Study Population
2.02
± 0.66
Negative valence, stimulation
Group
Value
95% CI
Entire Study Population
2.08
± 0.59
Adverse events — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov
Time frame: during testing sessions for this study or 1 day.
Reporting threshold: 1%.
Adverse-event reports describe events observed during the trial — not all are caused by the drug.
This study will enroll patients with epilepsy who are being evaluated for epilepsy surgery and have intracranial EEG electrodes. In this study, the aim is to record brain signals from areas important in social and emotional processing and to understand how electrical brain stimulation - called neuromodulation - affects such processing. Patients enrolled in this study will be asked to view images depicting a variety of emotionally positive, negative, or neutral themes. As the patient views these images, a small amount of imperceptible and painless electric current will be used to map function of certain parts of a human brain. The overarching goal of the study is to determine if neuromodulation can be used in certain areas of the brain to treat cognitive disorders such as memory loss and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Publications & conference data
2 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):
Publications: Europe PMC API search by NCT ID, retrieved 10 June 2026
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Sponsor: as reported to ClinicalTrials.gov by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Last refreshed: 22 September 2025
Drug Landscape aggregates and links these public records for informational use only. Always verify against the primary source before clinical or regulatory decisions. Canonical URL: https://druglandscape.com/trial/NCT05292183.