Evaluating Spinal Cord Stimulation for Stiff Person Syndrome

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Stiff-Person Syndrome

In brief

The purpose of this prospective pilot study is to gather preliminary evidence evaluating spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as a potential therapy for the treatment of rigidity and painful spasms in patients with stiff person syndrome (SPS), a rare autoimmune neurological condition. The hypothesis is that SCS-mediated clinical improvement occurs through multi-modal mechanisms of action targeting several components of neuronal inhibitory signaling pathways in the spinal cord.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06242678

Run by

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

People needed

2

Starts

2024-11-01

Expected to finish

2025-10-27

Last updated by the study team

2026-01-29

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Is 18 years of age or older at the time that the Informed Consent Form (ICF) is signed.
• Has been clinically diagnosed with stiff person syndrome
• Has clinical symptoms of muscle rigidity and spasms in the truncal (including abdominal, thoracic paraspinal, and pectoral) or proximal lower limb musculature
• Has Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (anti-GAD65) antibodies or serum anti-GAD65 antibodies present at any titer
• Is currently trying or has tried in the past at least two conventional therapies with insufficient symptomatic relief or intolerable side effects (such as nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs, topical patches/creams/gels/ointments, physical therapy, acupuncture, bracing, assistive devices, and lifestyle modification).
• If taking oral medications, is willing to maintain a stable regimen for the duration of the study period.
• Is cleared for an implantable medical device by licensed mental health provider.
• Is an appropriate candidate for the surgical procedures required in this study based on clinical judgement of the study physician.
• Is willing to and capable of giving written informed consent.
• Is willing and able to comply with study-related requirements and procedures and attend scheduled visits.

You may not qualify if…

• Is less than 18 years of age at the time at the time that the Informed Consent Form (ICF) is signed.
• Has a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 45.
• Has a history of spine surgery or is planning to receive a spinal injection or procedure while participating in the study, unless this procedure can be postponed until after study completion.
• Has radiological findings or evidence of moderate to severe central spinal canal stenosis or neuroforaminal stenosis at any thoracic level or laterality.
• Has radiological findings or evidence of moderate/severe central spinal canal stenosis at any cervical or lumbar level.
• Has had an epidural steroid injection within 6 weeks of enrollment.
• Has a history of infection of the spine within 6 months of enrollment.
• Has received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy within 30 days or is unwilling to maintain a stable regimen (no change in dosage or frequency) during the study period.
• Has a history of opioid misuse or current chronic opioid therapy.
• Has evidence of a coagulation abnormality or low platelet count (<120,000) indicated on Complete Blood Count test at screening, or has a history of abnormal bleeding, or if unable to pause anticoagulation therapy in accordance with accepted guidelines for a spinal cord stimulator trial.
• Has a current local infection at the anticipated surgical entry site, active systemic infection, or active malignancy.
• Has a medical condition or pain in other area(s) not intended to be treated in this study, that could interfere with study procedures, accurate pain reporting, and/or confound evaluation of study endpoints, as determined by the Investigator (such as radicular pain, post-herpetic neuralgia, central canal stenosis of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine, critical limb ischemia due to peripheral vascular disease, or small vessel disease).
• Has a history of untreated major depressive disorder, or history of any mental health disorder with psychotic features, such as schizophrenia.
• Is pregnant (confirmed via pregnancy test) or plans on becoming pregnant during the study period.
• Has had, within six months of enrollment, a significant untreated addiction to dependency producing medications, alcohol or illicit drugs.
• Is concomitantly participating in another interventional clinical trial.
• Is involved in an injury claim for a study-related chronic pain that is under current litigation.
• Is a recipient of temporary Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits due to study related chronic pain.
• Has a pending or approved worker's compensation claim for study-related chronic pain.
• Has low English language literacy interfering with the ability to complete study requirements.

Where it is running

• Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist — Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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