Disorders of Consciousness Due to Severe Brain InjuryNCT07694258
Assessment of Safety and Feasibility of FUS Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) to Perform Neuromodulation in Patients With Disorders of Consciousness
A study testing Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) in people with Disorders of Consciousness Due to Severe Brain Injury and Disorders of Consciousness, run by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
The main questions this study aims to answer are: Can low-intensity FUS neuromodulation be safely and feasibly administered to the bilateral central thalamus in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC)? Does FUS neuromodulation result in short-term improvements in arousal or behavioral responsiveness? Does FUS… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age
- Conditions the study is for
- Disorders of Consciousness Due to Severe Brain Injury, Disorders of Consciousness
- What is being tested?
- Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH)
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 10 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 10 Sep 2025to Sep 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of severe traumatic brain injury, hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, or other acute brain injury.
- Glasgow coma scale below 13 when off sedation, or on minimal sedation.
- Absence of another better explanation for the depressed level of consciousness (e.g,, metabolic abnormality, seizures)
- Intracranial pressure (ICP) is within a normal range (< 20 cm H2O), or, a neurosurgeon associated with the study and/or the treating physician agree that ICP is likely < 20 cm H2O based on clinical and neuroimaging information (acknowledging the limitations of non-invasive assessment of ICP53).
- The treating physician and/or neurosurgeon associated with the study evaluate it to be safe for the patient to be transported to the MRI scanner for a ~45 minute scan.
Who cannot join
- Active seizure activity or post-anoxic myoclonus at the time of proposed treatment
- Taking full anti-coagulation medication (does not include deep-vein-thrombosis chemoprophylaxis)
- Skull anatomy incompatible with safe FUS delivery (as determined by CT)
- Medical instability that would preclude safe transport or prolonged supine positioning
- Presence of any MRI-incompatible implants or devices
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5
Benjamin Davidson, MD, PhD, (416) 480-6100 ext. 80093, benjamin.davidson@sunnybrook.ca
Nir Lipsman, MD, PHD, FRCSC, FAANS, (416)-480-6954, Nir.Lipsman@sunnybrook.ca
About this study
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Can low-intensity FUS neuromodulation be safely and feasibly administered to the bilateral central thalamus in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC)? Does FUS neuromodulation result in short-term improvements in arousal or behavioral responsiveness? Does FUS neuromodulation produce measurable changes in neural activity on EEG and/or fMRI?
Read more
Participants will:
Receive two sessions of low-intensity FUS neuromodulation, spaced four weeks apart, plus or minus one week.
Undergo pre- and post-treatment assessments, including planning CT, MRI/fMRI, EEG, and standardized clinical scales such as the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
Be continuously monitored for safety during and after each FUS treatment. Complete follow-up imaging and clinical assessments approximately 2 weeks after each FUS session, 12 weeks after the second treatment, and at 12 months post-injury when clinically feasible.
Read the detailed description
This is a prospective, single-center, single-arm, open-label pilot clinical trial. Approximately 10-15 participants are expected to be enrolled. Each participant will receive two sessions of low-intensity focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation targeting the bilateral central thalamus, spaced four weeks apart, plus or minus one week. Participants will be followed for safety, clinical, imaging, and neurophysiological assessments, including follow-up through 12 weeks after the second treatment and, when clinically feasible, at 12 months post-injury.
- Being tested
- Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH)
- Keywords
- focused ultrasound, FUS, neuromodulation
- Medical subject headings
- Consciousness Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH)Device
Participants will receive MR-guided focused ultrasound neuromodulation using the Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH). Each participant will undergo two treatment sessions spaced four weeks apart. MRI and CT imaging will be used to guide targeting of the bilateral centromedian/parafascicular nuclei of the thalamus. Continuous monitoring will be performed during each session, and follow-up clinical, EEG, and MRI assessments will be conducted to evaluate safety, feasibility, and preliminary effects.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation | Experimental | Participants will receive two sessions of MRI-guided low-intensity focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation using the FUS Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH), targeting the bilateral centromedian and parafascicular nuclei of the thalamus. Treatments will be spaced four weeks apart, plus or minus one week. All participants will receive the same intervention and will be followed for safety, feasibility, clinical outcomes, and neurophysiological effects, including follow-up through 12 weeks after the second treatment and additional assessments at 12 months post-injury when feasible. Receives: Device: Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Feasibility of Bilateral Central Thalamic FUS Neuromodulation
Feasibility will be defined as the proportion of enrolled participants who complete both focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation sessions without protocol deviation or occurrence of a serious adverse event (SAE) related to the procedure.
Measured: Assessed at Screening/Baseline, Treatment 1, Mid-treatment assessment (2 weeks after Treatment 1), Treatment 2 (4 weeks after Treatment 1), 2-week follow-up (2 weeks after each treatment), 12 weeks after Treatment 2, and 1-year follow-up.
Safety of FUS Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) to Perform Neuromodulation in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness
Safety will be assessed by the frequency, type, and severity of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) following FUS treatment. Events of interest include seizures, autonomic instability, new focal neurological deficits, clinical deterioration, or structural abnormalities detected on post-treatment MRI.
Measured: Assessed at Screening/Baseline, Treatment 1, Mid-treatment assessment (2 weeks after Treatment 1), Treatment 2 (4 weeks after Treatment 1), 2-week follow-up (2 weeks after each treatment), 12 weeks after Treatment 2, and 1-year follow-up.
Secondary outcomes (6)
Change in Behavioral Responsiveness (Coma Recovery Scale-Revised, CRS-R)
The Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) is a standardized behavioral assessment used to measure level of consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness. The CRS-R consists of 6 subscales (Auditory, Visual, Motor, Oromotor/Verbal, Communication, and Arousal) that evaluate reproducible signs of awareness. Total scores range from 0 to 23, with higher scores indicating greater behavioral responsiveness and higher levels of consciousness.
Measured: Assessed at Baseline, Treatment 1, Mid-treatment assessment (2 weeks after Treatment 1), Treatment 2 (4 weeks after Treatment 1), 2-week follow-up (2 weeks after each treatment), 12 weeks after Treatment 2, and 1-year follow-up.
Change in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a standardized clinical tool used to assess a patient's level of consciousness, particularly after brain injury. It evaluates three components of responsiveness: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response.
Each component is scored individually and then summed to produce a total score ranging from 3 to 15. Higher scores indicate better neurological function and greater levels of consciousness, while lower scores reflect more severe impairment.
Measured: Assessed at Baseline, Treatment 1, Mid-treatment assessment (2 weeks after Treatment 1), Treatment 2 (4 weeks after Treatment 1), 2-week follow-up (2 weeks after each treatment), 12 weeks after Treatment 2, and 1-year follow-up.
Change in Rancho Los Amigos Scale Level
The Rancho Los Amigos Scale (also known as the Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning Scale) is an 8-level clinical scale used to assess cognitive recovery and behavioral responsiveness following severe brain injury. The scale ranges from Level I (No Response) to Level VIII (Purposeful and Appropriate Response). Higher levels indicate greater cognitive functioning, improved awareness, and more appropriate and consistent behavioral responses. Only participants who scored 23 on CRS-R will complete The Rancho Los Amigos Scale.
Measured: Assessed at Baseline, Treatment 1, Mid-treatment assessment (2 weeks after Treatment 1), Treatment 2 (4 weeks after Treatment 1), 2-week follow-up (2 weeks after each treatment), 12 weeks after Treatment 2, and 1-year follow-up.
Change in EEG Measures of Neural Activity
Electroencephalography (EEG) will be used to assess changes in neural activity before and after focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation. EEG measures will include spectral power (frequency band power across delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma ranges), spectral entropy (a measure of signal complexity and cortical activation), and event-related responses during task-based paradigms (e.g., motor imagery and passive auditory language tasks).
Higher spectral entropy and increased task-related cortical responses are generally interpreted as reflecting greater cortical activation and improved network engagement associated with arousal and awareness. Changes in resting-state spectral power and task-evoked responses will be assessed relative to baseline.
Measured: Assessed at Baseline, 2 weeks after each treatment and 1 year follow-up.
Change in Resting-State Functional Connectivity (rs-fMRI)
Resting-state functional MRI will be used to assess changes in resting-state functional connectivity between the central thalamus and frontal/parietal cortical regions. Connectivity may be quantified using seed-based connectivity metrics and network-level connectivity measures derived from resting-state data. Changes will be assessed relative to baseline.
Measured: Assessed at Baseline, 2 weeks after each treatment and 1 year follow-up.
Change in Task-Based Functional Connectivity
Task-based functional MRI will be used to assess brain activation and network engagement during structured paradigms, such as motor imagery and passive auditory language tasks. Task-related blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) responses will be used to assess regional brain activation and network-level engagement. Changes will be assessed relative to baseline.
Measured: Assessed at Baseline, 2 weeks after each treatment and 1 year follow-up.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Jul 2026
- Study start10 Sep 2025
- Primary completionSep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionSep 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Disorders of Consciousness Due to Severe Brain InjuryStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dr. Benjamin Davidson, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07694258
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 6798
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 9 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Assessment of Safety and Feasibility of FUS Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) to Perform Neuromodulation in Patients With Disorders of Consciousness
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07694258
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 6798
- Keywords
- focused ultrasound, FUS, neuromodulation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Sep 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Can low-intensity FUS neuromodulation be safely and feasibly administered to the bilateral central thalamus in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC)? Does FUS neuromodulation result in short-term improvements in arousal or behavioral responsiveness? Does FUS neuromodulation produce measurable changes in neural activity on EEG and/or fMRI?
Participants will:
Receive two sessions of low-intensity FUS neuromodulation, spaced four weeks apart, plus or minus one week.
Undergo pre- and post-treatment assessments, including planning CT, MRI/fMRI, EEG, and standardized clinical scales such as the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
Be continuously monitored for safety during and after each FUS treatment. Complete follow-up imaging and clinical assessments approximately 2 weeks after each FUS session, 12 weeks after the second treatment, and at 12 months post-injury when clinically feasible.
Detailed description
This is a prospective, single-center, single-arm, open-label pilot clinical trial. Approximately 10-15 participants are expected to be enrolled. Each participant will receive two sessions of low-intensity focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation targeting the bilateral central thalamus, spaced four weeks apart, plus or minus one week. Participants will be followed for safety, clinical, imaging, and neurophysiological assessments, including follow-up through 12 weeks after the second treatment and, when clinically feasible, at 12 months post-injury.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation | Experimental | Device: Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH)Participants will receive two sessions of MRI-guided low-intensity focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation using the FUS Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH), targeting the bilateral centromedian and parafascicular nuclei of the thalamus. Treatments will be spaced four weeks apart, plus or minus one week. All participants will receive the same intervention and will be followed for safety, feasibility, clinical outcomes, and neurophysiological effects, including follow-up through 12 weeks after the second treatment and additional assessments at 12 months post-injury when feasible. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Diagnosis of severe traumatic brain injury, hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, or other acute brain injury.
- Glasgow coma scale below 13 when off sedation, or on minimal sedation.
- Absence of another better explanation for the depressed level of consciousness (e.g,, metabolic abnormality, seizures)
- Intracranial pressure (ICP) is within a normal range (< 20 cm H2O), or, a neurosurgeon associated with the study and/or the treating physician agree that ICP is likely < 20 cm H2O based on clinical and neuroimaging information (acknowledging the limitations of non-invasive assessment of ICP53).
- The treating physician and/or neurosurgeon associated with the study evaluate it to be safe for the patient to be transported to the MRI scanner for a ~45 minute scan.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Active seizure activity or post-anoxic myoclonus at the time of proposed treatment
- Taking full anti-coagulation medication (does not include deep-vein-thrombosis chemoprophylaxis)
- Skull anatomy incompatible with safe FUS delivery (as determined by CT)
- Medical instability that would preclude safe transport or prolonged supine positioning
- Presence of any MRI-incompatible implants or devices
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH)Participants will receive MR-guided focused ultrasound neuromodulation using the Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH). Each participant will undergo two treatment sessions spaced four weeks apart. MRI and CT imaging will be used to guide targeting of the bilateral centromedian/parafascicular nuclei of the thalamus. Continuous monitoring will be performed during each session, and follow-up clinical, EEG, and MRI assessments will be conducted to evaluate safety, feasibility, and preliminary effects. | Device | Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation |
Primary outcome
Feasibility of Bilateral Central Thalamic FUS Neuromodulation
Time frame: Assessed at Screening/Baseline, Treatment 1, Mid-treatment assessment (2 weeks after Treatment 1), Treatment 2 (4 weeks after Treatment 1), 2-week follow-up (2 weeks after each treatment), 12 weeks after Treatment 2, and 1-year follow-up.
Feasibility will be defined as the proportion of enrolled participants who complete both focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation sessions without protocol deviation or occurrence of a serious adverse event (SAE) related to the procedure.
Safety of FUS Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) to Perform Neuromodulation in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness
Time frame: Assessed at Screening/Baseline, Treatment 1, Mid-treatment assessment (2 weeks after Treatment 1), Treatment 2 (4 weeks after Treatment 1), 2-week follow-up (2 weeks after each treatment), 12 weeks after Treatment 2, and 1-year follow-up.
Safety will be assessed by the frequency, type, and severity of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) following FUS treatment. Events of interest include seizures, autonomic instability, new focal neurological deficits, clinical deterioration, or structural abnormalities detected on post-treatment MRI.
6 secondary outcomes
Change in Behavioral Responsiveness (Coma Recovery Scale-Revised, CRS-R)
Time frame: Assessed at Baseline, Treatment 1, Mid-treatment assessment (2 weeks after Treatment 1), Treatment 2 (4 weeks after Treatment 1), 2-week follow-up (2 weeks after each treatment), 12 weeks after Treatment 2, and 1-year follow-up.
Change in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
Time frame: Assessed at Baseline, Treatment 1, Mid-treatment assessment (2 weeks after Treatment 1), Treatment 2 (4 weeks after Treatment 1), 2-week follow-up (2 weeks after each treatment), 12 weeks after Treatment 2, and 1-year follow-up.
Change in Rancho Los Amigos Scale Level
Time frame: Assessed at Baseline, Treatment 1, Mid-treatment assessment (2 weeks after Treatment 1), Treatment 2 (4 weeks after Treatment 1), 2-week follow-up (2 weeks after each treatment), 12 weeks after Treatment 2, and 1-year follow-up.
Change in EEG Measures of Neural Activity
Time frame: Assessed at Baseline, 2 weeks after each treatment and 1 year follow-up.
Change in Resting-State Functional Connectivity (rs-fMRI)
Time frame: Assessed at Baseline, 2 weeks after each treatment and 1 year follow-up.
Change in Task-Based Functional Connectivity
Time frame: Assessed at Baseline, 2 weeks after each treatment and 1 year follow-up.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) in people with Disorders of Consciousness Due to Severe Brain Injury and Disorders of Consciousness, run by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Benjamin Davidson, MD, PhD ((416) 480-6100 ext. 80093, benjamin.davidson@sunnybrook.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Feasibility of Bilateral Central Thalamic FUS Neuromodulation (time frame: Assessed at Screening/Baseline, Treatment 1, Mid-treatment assessment (2 weeks after Treatment 1), Treatment 2 (4 weeks after Treatment 1), 2-week follow-up (2 weeks after each treatment), 12 weeks after Treatment 2, and 1-year follow-up.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Jul 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.