Brain implant to restore communication and movement control
Part of Bones, joints & muscles, Brain & nervous system, Genetic & congenital, Heart & circulation, Hormones & metabolism, Injuries & trauma clinical trials.
This trial tests a surgically implanted brain device designed to help people with severe paralysis or movement disorders regain the ability to communicate and control their limbs. The device reads signals from your brain and translates them into commands that could help you interact with computers or assistive technology.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You have severe paralysis affecting both arms (tetraplegia or tetraparesis), severe ataxia (balance/coordination disorder), or both arms significantly weakened, possibly combined with speech difficulties.
- Your condition is caused by spinal cord injury (C6 level or higher), brainstem stroke, ALS, muscular dystrophy, or another progressive nerve/muscle disease—and has been stable for at least 12 months (except for ALS and similar conditions).
- You have very limited arm strength and pass surgical safety clearance from your doctor and the study team.
- You can communicate reliably through speech, eye movement, or other means, and have a reliable caregiver to support you throughout the study.
- You can travel to Johns Hopkins up to five days per week for the study duration and have adequate vision to see a computer screen.
- You do not have psychiatric conditions, active cancer, uncontrolled infections, poorly controlled diabetes, active implanted devices incompatible with MRI, or chronic anti-coagulation therapy that cannot be paused for surgery.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
Similar studies
Other trials that look related to this one.
This trial tests a brain-computer interface (BCI) that is implanted by a robot. It is designed to help people who have lost the ability to speak clearly or use their hands well, due to conditions like ALS, stroke, or spinal cord injury.
This clinical trial tests a brain-computer interface (a small device implanted in the brain) that may help people with severe paralysis control external devices like a computer or tablet using only their thoughts. The study is for adults with paralysis from a spinal cord injury or ALS, and requires a stable caregiver.
This study tests a brain-computer implant that might help people with severe paralysis or speech loss control a computer with their thoughts. It is for people who have trouble moving and speaking due to a progressive disease or injury.
This study tests a brain implant that lets you control external devices like a computer or tablet just by thinking. It is for people with paralysis or severe weakness in both arms due to conditions like spinal cord injury, ALS, or stroke.
This trial tests a brain implant that lets you control external devices using your thoughts. It's for people with limited arm function due to spinal cord injury, stroke, ALS, or similar conditions.
This trial tests a brain-computer interface (a device that lets you control a computer with your thoughts) that is implanted by a robot. It is for people with severe paralysis who may benefit from a new way to communicate or control devices.
Hear when a new Tetraplegia/Tetraparesis trial opens
We’ll email you when one opens — at most once a week, no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.