Evoked Retinal Response

March 1, 2013 updated by: Ronald H. Silverman, Columbia University

Evoked Visual Response Using Pulsed Ultrasound

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a group of inherited eye diseases that affect the retina (the light-sensitive part of the eye). RP causes the breakdown of photoreceptor cells (cells in the retina that detect light). Photoreceptor cells capture and process light helping us to see. As these cells breakdown and die, people experience progressive vision loss. There is no known cure for retinitis pigmentosa. The investigators have observed that short pulses of focused ultrasound can cause perception of light when directed to spots on the retinal surface. The investigators propose to conduct a study to determine if pulsed ultrasound will stimulate the perception of light in the absence of functional photoreceptors in people with RP

Study Overview

Status

Terminated

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Patients affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and related diseases suffer loss of vision due to death of photoreceptor cells. The investigators have observed that short pulses of focused ultrasound can cause perception of light (phosphenes) when directed to spots on the retinal surface. If this phenomenon is caused by direct stimulation of the retinal nerves, which seems probable, then it might be possible to use this phenomenon to produce a form of vision in such patients. The investigators propose to conduct a study of a small cohort of patients affected by RP to determine if pulsed ultrasound will evoke a perception of light in the absence of functional photoreceptors.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

1

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • New York
      • New York, New York, United States, 10032
        • Columbia University Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 60 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • retinitis pigmentosa
  • legally blind in at least one eye

Exclusion Criteria:

  • unable to lay down on an exam table

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Retinitis Pigmentosa
Subject will have retinitis pigmentosa and will be legally blind in one or both eyes
Procedure: Ultrasound Stimulus
Short pulses of focused ultrasound will be directed at spots on the retinal surface.
Other Names:
  • pulsed ultrasound

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Phosphene Perception in Response to Ultrasound Pulse.
Time Frame: Subjects will undergo a single examination of approximately 15 minute duration during which they will report perception of phosphenes during ultrasound exposure.
The investigators will test the hypothesis that compression of retinal nerves by ultrasound force will cause perception of light (phosphenes) in blind subjects lacking functioning photoreceptors (retinitis pigmentosa). With each of two 5 msec ARFI exposures, if the subject either perceived the spark of light (phosphene), then it was documented as a positive response; if they did not, it was marked as a negative response.
Subjects will undergo a single examination of approximately 15 minute duration during which they will report perception of phosphenes during ultrasound exposure.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Columbia University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

July 1, 2011

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2012

Study Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2012

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 25, 2011

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 10, 2011

First Posted (Estimate)

August 12, 2011

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

April 5, 2013

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 1, 2013

Last Verified

March 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • AAAI1650

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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