Recruiting

Brain implants to help paralyzed people control devices

Plain-English translation of NCT07521930 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated October 2026 · Translation generated September 2026 · How we translate trials

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?

The INTENT Neural Interface System is an early-stage study testing whether doctors can safely implant tiny electrodes directly into the brain to help people with severe paralysis regain communication and control over assistive devices. The implants would record brain signals and send them to computers or robotic arms, potentially letting you control these tools just by thinking. Participants would also receive sensory feedback—like touch or vibration—to help them know if their mental commands are working.

Many people with severe paralysis from spinal cord injury, stroke, ALS, or muscular diseases lose the ability to move their limbs or speak, even though their brain function remains intact. This trial aims to create a direct bridge between the brain and technology, giving patients a new way to communicate and interact with the world when traditional rehabilitation isn't enough.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have severe paralysis or weakness in both arms, or you have locked-in syndrome or ALS with speech difficulties
your paralysis is caused by a spinal cord injury (at level C6 or higher), brainstem stroke, or a progressive disease like ALS or muscular dystrophy
your condition has been stable for at least 12 months (for non-progressive causes) or you have very weak arm strength throughout your upper body (for progressive diseases)
you can communicate reliably, either through speech or eye movements
you have a stable caregiver who can support you throughout the study and you can travel to the study site up to five days per week

You likely don't qualify if…

you have active psychiatric conditions or cognitive impairments that would prevent you from giving informed consent
you have other implanted medical devices that cannot safely be combined with an MRI, or you cannot undergo MRI scans
you have serious heart, lung, kidney, or metabolic conditions that would make brain surgery too risky for you
you have a condition that makes the planned surgery medically unsafe

What participation looks like

If you enroll, you would undergo brain surgery to have tiny electrodes placed in the areas of your brain that control movement and sensation. After surgery, you would come to the study center up to five days per week for training sessions where you learn to control computers, virtual devices, or robotic arms using only your thoughts, while receiving feedback from the system. The study team would monitor your safety and how well the implant works over time.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Sep 3, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland