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Testing brain stimulation to reduce seizures in hard-to-treat epilepsy

Plain-English translation of NCT06334952 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated December 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

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This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a treatment called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)—a non-invasive procedure where mild electrical currents are applied to your scalp to help reduce seizures. The study is designed for people with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, which means seizures that haven't been controlled by anti-seizure medications. Researchers want to see if this personalized brain stimulation can decrease how often you have seizures and improve your quality of life.

Many people with epilepsy continue to have seizures even after trying multiple medications, leaving them with few treatment options. This trial explores whether this treatment could offer relief to people whose seizures are not well controlled by drugs alone.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are at least 9 years old
you have been diagnosed with drug-resistant focal epilepsy (seizures that don't respond well to medication)
you have had a special brain imaging test called SEEG that has identified where your seizures start
you are having at least 3 seizures per month
you have been stable on your current epilepsy medications for at least 4 weeks
you are able to speak, read, and write in French and follow study procedures

You likely don't qualify if…

you have had seizures that start from multiple areas of your brain or from both sides of your brain
you have had generalized seizures (seizures affecting your whole brain) in the past 12 months
you have metal implants in your head, a pacemaker, or other electronic medical devices that cannot be removed
you have significant skin problems on your scalp (such as severe eczema or open wounds) that would prevent the stimulation pads from being applied safely
you have a serious ongoing medical condition or a brain tumor

What participation looks like

You would be randomly assigned to receive either real brain stimulation or a sham (fake) stimulation first, then switch to the other treatment after a break. Over 10 non-consecutive days, you would come in for two 20-minute sessions each day, with a 20-minute break between them. The researchers will track your seizure frequency, any side effects, and changes in your quality of life throughout the study.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 1, 2026 · Not medical advice

Testing brain stimulation to reduce seizures in hard-to-treat epilepsy

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(7 sites)