Tests a brain implant in people with paralysis, locked-in syndrome or ALS

Trial details

Who runs it

Johns Hopkins University

Trial code

NCT03567213

Record updated

21 August 2026

Original description

The CortiCom system consists of 510(k)-cleared components: platinum PMT subdural cortical electrode grids, a Blackrock Microsystems patient pedestal, and an external NeuroPort Neural Signal Processor. Up to two grids will be implanted in the brain, for a total channel count of up to 128 channels, for six months. In each participant, the grid(s) will be implanted over areas of cortex that encode speech and upper extremity movement.Read full original descriptionShow less

Investigation on the Cortical Communication (CortiCom) System

The CortiCom system consists of 510(k)-cleared components: platinum PMT subdural cortical electrode grids, a Blackrock Microsystems patient pedestal, and an external NeuroPort Neural Signal Processor. Up to two grids will be implanted in the brain, for a total channel count of up to 128 channels, for six months. In each participant, the grid(s) will be implanted over areas of cortex that encode speech and upper extremity movement.

Inclusion: Clinical diagnosis of tetraplegia (quadriplegia), brainstem stroke , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Locked-in Syndrome (LIS); Tetraplegia diagnosis, ALS diagnosis, stroke, or LIS etiology onset occurred at least one year prior to enrollment; Complete or incomplete tetraplegia (quadriplegia), tetraparesis (quadriparesis), or severe ataxia. In addition, these motor impairments may be combined with severe motor-related speech impairment (dysarthria or anarthria), as in LIS; 22-70 years; Meeting surgical safety criteria, including surgical clearance by the participant's primary healthcare provider, study physicians, and any necessary consultants; Ability to communicate reliably, such as through eye movement; Willingness and ability to provide informed consent; Screened by rehabilitation psychologist with a result showing that the participant has a stable psychosocial support system with caregiver capable of monitoring participant throughout the study; Ability and willingness to travel up to 100 miles to study location up to three days per week for the duration of the study; Ability to understand and comply with study session instructions; Participant consents to the study and still wishes to participate at the time of the study.

Exclusion: Presence of pre-surgical findings in anatomical, functional, and/or vascular neuroimaging that makes achieving implant locations within desired risk levels too challenging (to be decided by neurological and neurosurgical team); Prior cranioplasty; Chronic oral or intravenous use of steroids or immunosuppressive therapy; Participants in whom it is medically contraindicated to stop anti-coagulant medications during surgery; Performance on formal neuropsychological testing that indicates significant psychiatric conditions or cognitive impairments that would interfere with obtaining informed consent or fully participating in study activities; Implanted devices that are incompatible with MRI, which may include pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators, spinal cord or vagal nerve stimulators, deep brain stimulators, and cochlear implants; History of substance abuse, narcotic dependence, or alcohol dependence in past 24 months; Medical conditions contraindicating surgery of a chronically implanted device (e.g. osteomyelitis, diabetes, hepatitis, any autoimmune disease/disorder, epilepsy, skin disorders causing excessive skin sloughing or poor wound healing, blood or cardiac disorder requiring chronic anti-coagulation); Other chronic, unstable medical conditions that could interfere with subject participation; Participants with active infections or unexplained fever; Participants with other morbid conditions making the implantation of the recording elements unsafe; not limited to: significant pulmonary, cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal impairments making the surgical procedure unsafe; HIV or AIDS infection; Active cancer within the past year or requires chemotherapy; Suicide attempt or persistent suicidal ideation within the past 12 months; Inability to undergo MRI or anticipated need for an MRI during the study period; Pregnancy (confirmation through blood test); Nursing an infant, planning to become pregnant, or not using adequate birth control; Corrected vision poorer than 20/100; Existing scalp lesions or skin breakdown; Uncontrolled autonomic dysreflexia within the past 3 months; Hydrocephalus with or without an implanted ventricular shunt.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03567213