Tests a brain electrode that records nerve cell activity in people with epilepsy
Tests a small brain electrode recording nerve cells during seizures in adults with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Hybrid Micro-macro Electrodes in Patients With Epilepsy
Key facts
- Where
- Bern and Geneva, SwitzerlandSee the 2 sites
Where in Switzerland
- Inselspital BernBern, SwitzerlandTaking people
- Hôpitaux universitaires de GenèveGeneva, SwitzerlandTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Pierre Mégevand
- Trial code
- NCT05335187
- Record updated
- 5 May 2026
- Original description
The aim of the MicroEPI study is to know whether it is possible to use safely a medical device (a micro-electrode) that allows recording the activity of neurons in the human brain. Patients who suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy and who are candidates to epilepsy surgery to alleviate their condition sometimes require the implantation of intracranial EEG electrodes for a few weeks, in order to determine as best as possible which region of the brain to operate on. In the MicroEPI study, some of these electrodes will also comprise micro-electrodes, allowing us to record the activity of the patients' neurons during their epileptic seizures.Read full original descriptionShow less
Hybrid Micro-macro Electrodes to Record the Activity of Single Neurons During Seizures in Patients Who Suffer From Epilepsy
The aim of the MicroEPI study is to know whether it is possible to use safely a medical device (a micro-electrode) that allows recording the activity of neurons in the human brain. Patients who suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy and who are candidates to epilepsy surgery to alleviate their condition sometimes require the implantation of intracranial EEG electrodes for a few weeks, in order to determine as best as possible which region of the brain to operate on. In the MicroEPI study, some of these electrodes will also comprise micro-electrodes, allowing us to record the activity of the patients' neurons during their epileptic seizures.
Inclusion: Patient 18 years old or older suffering from drug-resistant focal epilepsy; Candidate for epilepsy surgery; Requires evaluation with intracranial stereo-EEG electrodes; Able and willing to provide informed consent.
Exclusion: Severe concomitant medical disease (including, but not limited to, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal or hepatic disease); Severe concomitant psychiatric disease or major psychological distress; Any acute infection (e.g. fever, throat infection); Skin or scalp infection over the implantation site; Increased risk of infections, either from a medical condition or from immunosuppressant medication; Increased risk of bleeding, either from a medical condition or from antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication; Thin or fragile skull bones, which would prevent stereo-EEG electrodes from being anchored safely; Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding during the study; Patients who have an implanted stimulation device (e.g. pacemaker, defibrillator, neurostimulator).