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Brain Stimulation to Treat Blepharospasm or Meige Syndrome
NCT00411255 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
This research study will examine whether magnetic or electrical stimulation of the brain can improve the involuntary closure of the eyelids in patients with blepharospasm or Meige syndrome; conditions that belong to a group of neurological disorders called dystonias. Blepharospasm and Meige syndrome cause excessive involuntary closure of the eyelids or blinking. In an earlier study of patients with writer's cramp, which is another form of dystonia, symptoms improved temporarily with brain stimulation. Interested people 18 years of age or older with blepharospasm or Meige syndrome may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a medical history, physical examination and a blink reflex test. Participants undergo brain stimulation and evaluations before and after the stimulation to test the response, as follows: Procedures * Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): A wire coil is held on the patient's scalp. A brief electrical current is passed through the coil, creating a magnetic pulse that stimulates the brain. The subject hears a click and may feel a pulling sensation on the skin under the coil. There may be a twitch in the muscles of the face, arm or leg. The subject may be asked to tense certain muscles slightly or perform other simple actions. The effect of TMS on the muscles is detected with small metal disk electrodes taped to the skin of the arms or legs. TMS is done on eight of the ten test days. * Repetitive TMS (rTMS): The same procedure as TMS, except repeated magnetic pulses are delivered in short bursts. RTMS is done on eight of the ten test days. * Theta burst stimulation (TBS): A form of rTMS that involves short bursts of impulses. TBS is done on four study days. * Cathodal transcranial DC stimulation (tDCS): Two conductive-rubber electrodes placed in saline-soaked sponges are positioned over two areas of the head. A constant weak electrical current flow is applied for 20 minutes. tDCS is done on two study days. Evaluations * Physi
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- PROCEDURE repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
Study Locations (1)
Maryland
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), 9000 Rockville — Bethesda
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 22 participants |
| Start Date | 2006-06-22 |
| Est. Completion | 2009-04-07 |
| Phase | Phase 2 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT00411255
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT00411255 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as Phase 2, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 22 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), which has 339 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 2 conditions, with Focal Dystonia appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT00411255 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Maryland. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT00411255 about?
NCT00411255 is a clinical study titled "Brain Stimulation to Treat Blepharospasm or Meige Syndrome". This research study will examine whether magnetic or electrical stimulation of the brain can improve the involuntary closure of the eyelids in patients with blepharospasm or Meige syndrome; conditions that belong to a group of neurological disorders called dystonias. Blepharospasm and Meige syndrome...
What is the current status of trial NCT00411255?
This trial is currently completed. It is a Phase 2 study. The enrollment target is 22 participants. The study started on 2006-06-22. Estimated completion is 2009-04-07.
What conditions does trial NCT00411255 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Focal Dystonia, Blepharospasm. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT00411255?
The interventions under investigation include: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (PROCEDURE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT00411255?
This trial is sponsored by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), which has 339 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT00411255 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Maryland. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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