NCT05936619Recruiting
MindEx: A Novel, Multifocal, Cognitive Brain-Machine Interface System
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 30 Oct 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
This research study is being done to develop a novel brain-computer interface (BCI) technology that can enable severely paralyzed individuals to interact with the world through direct brain-control of a computer. This technology is named MindEx (for Mind Extender). It utilizes four implanted "chips" in the human brain from which investigators can record brain activity during subjects' thoughts and decode meaningful information from this activity to be used as control signals for a computer, a laptop, or a tablet. The use of four brain regions is a significant differentiating feature and scientific innovation of this study over much prior work in this space, that typically derived control signals from one, or sometimes two brain regions. The brain regions to be used here can allow the decode of multiple variables simultaneously, including not just moment-to-moment position, but also high-level goals, intentions, decisions, scene comprehension, and error-related signals involved in natural human behavior. The research is being done through a prospective, longitudinal, single-arm early feasibility study to examine the safety and effectiveness of using MindEx to provide the user an intuitive, efficient, and accurate ability to control multiple applications on a computer interface such as a word processor, a paint application, or to play simple video games. Such versatility could greatly improve the autonomy and quality of life of severely paralyzed individuals. Two subjects will be enrolled, each implanted with MindEx for a period of at least 53 weeks and up to 313 weeks. The study is expected to take at least one year and up to six years in total.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 2 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 25 May 2023
- Start date
- 20 Feb 2026
- Primary completion date
- 30 May 2030
- Lead sponsor
- Nader Pouratian
- Diseases
- ALS (motor neurone disease), Stroke
- NCT number
- NCT05936619
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Planned participants: 2
- From 20 Feb 2026 to the primary completion date, 30 May 2030
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Prior cranioplasty
- Chronic oral or intravenous use of steroids or immunosuppressive therapy
- Drug or alcohol dependence
Other illness
- Intellectual impairment
- Psychotic illness or chronic psychiatric disorder, including major depression if untreated
- Active infection or unexplained fever
- HIV or AIDS infection
- Active cancer or chemotherapy
- Diabetes
- History of seizure
- Medical conditions contraindicating surgery and chronic implantation of a medical device
Other
- Presence of memory problems
- Poor visual acuity
- Pregnancy
- Scalp lesions or skin breakdown
- Autonomic dysreflexia
- Implanted hydrocephalus shunt
- Other implanted devices
- Unable to undergo MRI or anticipated need for MRI during the study
- Breastfeeding an infant (direct nursing or via a bottle of expressed milk)
- Suicidal ideation
- Planning to become pregnant, or unwilling to use adequate birth control
Who the study is looking for
- Paralysis resulting from cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), brainstem stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Provide informed consent
- Understand and comply with instructions, if necessary, with the aid of a translator
- Communicate via speech or other means
- Surgical clearance
- Life expectancy greater than 12 months
- Travel to study locations up to five days per week for the duration of the study
- Caregiver monitor for surgical site complications and behavioral changes on a daily basis
- Psychosocial support system
- Stable ventilator status
Age in the registry: 18 years to 65 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| UT Southwestern Medical Center Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Dallas | United States | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.