Active clinical trials for "Locked-In Syndrome"

The purpose of this protocol is to (1) Determine whether a one-on-one mindfulness meditation intervention or audio training improves performance on an adaptive communication system that utilizes brain-computer interface (BCI); and (2) Determine whether the intervention reduces stress in subjects with severe speech and physical impairments (SSPI). Hypothesis: The group of subjects randomized to the mindfulness meditation training will improve BCI performance and stress levels more than the audio control group.

The primary aims of this study are: To determine the feasibility of deploying mindBEAGLE, a portable, bedside EEG-based system, in the Intensive Care Unit in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) or locked-in syndrome (LIS); To determine if mindBEAGLE neurophysiologic markers of cognitive function correlate with bedside behavioral assessments of consciousness; To determine if mindBEAGLE neurophysiologic markers of cognitive function correlate with functional MRI (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) biomarkers of consciousness; To determine if mindBEAGLE can serve as an assistive communication device for people with LIS.

Locked-In Syndrome (LIS) is a devastating condition in which a person has lost the ability to communicate due to motor impairment, while being mentally intact. For people affected by this severe communication impairment, Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) may be the only solution that allows these people to start a conversation, ask questions, or request assistance (i.e. self-initiated communication). To-date, spelling was accomplished at a rate of 2-3 letters per minute with a predecessor device (the Medtronic Activa PC+S). To improve BCI performance, the current protocol will use the Medtronic Summit System, which offers a rechargeable battery and improved signal quality relative to Activa PC+S. Using signals from the motor hand/arm and/or motor mouth/face area, the investigators will investigate different avenues to improve the speed of communication using the Summit System. The primary objective is to evaluate the safety of the Summit System when used to chronically record subdural electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals in a BCI for use by patients with LIS in patients' homes. The secondary objective will be to evaluate the efficacy of the Summit System as a long-term source of ECoG signals for a BCI capable of allowing participants to control alternative and augmentative communication software in patients' homes.

Electroencephalography (EEG) and/or near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) based Brain computer interface for communication in patients without any means of communication.

In this case, we report a case of atresia syndrome (LIS), a serious neurological disease caused by pulmonary arteriovenous fistula (PAVM). We present a previously healthy middle-aged woman who developed atresia syndrome after severe pontine infarction due to basilar artery occlusion due to undiagnosed arteriovenous malformation. This report reviewed the medical history, post-admission examination and related literature, and concluded that PAVM should be considered as the cause of implicit stroke, especially in young patients with right-to-left shunt, and should be actively treated.