Active clinical trials for "Epilepsy"

Several neuropeptides have concerned with epilepsy pathogenesis, ghrelin showed an anticonvulsant effect. There is a potential relation between its level and antiepileptic drugs (AED) response.

Background: Different antiepileptic drugs are responsible for reproductive dysfunction in male epileptic patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of valproate versus levetiracetam as a monotherapy on males' sex hormones and sperm parameters in newly diagnosed epilepsy. Methods: This comparative study included 50 newly diagnosed epileptic male participants from outpatient clinic of Neurology department of Zagazig University Hospitals. All participants were subjected to complete general and neurological examination, Doppler ultrasonography of the testis, pre and post treatment serum sex hormone assay and semen analysis. Post- treatment re- evaluation check point was determined if eight weeks have passed after the last seizures. This study included two groups, group I: 25 participants, were treated by valproate (VPA) as a monotherapy till became seizure free at the last 8-weeks before post treatment check-point, with ages ranged from 18-43 years. Group II: 25 participants were treated by levetiracetam (LEV) with the same regimens of valproate as a monotherapy, with ages ranged from 20-45 years.

Using the novel analysis of stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) recordings, this proposal will investigate the activity and connectivity of mood regulation circuits in subjects with suspected epileptic focus who have undergone SEEG electrode implantation for monitoring of seizure activity.

The study is a prospective, multi-center, open-label clinical trial. Study's purpose is to characterize the pharmacokinetics and safety of four oral anti-epileptics drugs (levetiracetam, valproic acid [divalproex sodium ER or immediate release formulation if inadequate enrollment}, topiramate, and oxcarbazepine) in a non-randomized sample of obese children and adolescents. The study's duration will be up to eleven days (up to seven days of screening and four days of pharmacokinetic sampling). Eligible participants ages 2 to 18 years will be identified through outpatient clinic schedules and inpatient admissions at each clinic site. Participants receiving at least one of the study drugs per local standard of care will have pharmacokinetic concentrations in plasma drawn according to the specific dosing schedule for each drug. Other study measures include demographics, BMI, waist/hip ratio, medical history, concomitant medication history, documentation of study drug oral intake, adverse effects, and physical examination. The sample size will include 24 participants for each anti-epileptic drug (total 96).

To investigate physical fitness and activity levels in children with epilepsy and compare the results with healthy peers.

Mutations in neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been identified in the autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE). Despite the demonstration of a gain of function of the mutated receptors, the precise mechanisms leading to this nocturnal epilepsy are still unknown. In 2006 the investigators studied the nAChR cerebral distribution in a group of patients with ADNFLE carrying a nAChR mutation, by a PET-scan using [18F]-F-A-85380, a ligand with a high affinity and specificity for alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptors. The study showed a different pattern of brain distribution of the radiotracer in the ADNFLE patients when compared to a group of control subjects, with a significant increase of nicotinic receptor density in the patients in mesencephalon and cerebellum (Picard et al., Brain 2006). Based on the known biochemical and cellular circuits in the brainstem, these results suggest that the nAChR density increase in mesencephalon is involved in the pathophysiology of ADNFLE through the role of brainstem ascending cholinergic systems in arousal. The follow-up step consists of extending this examination to other forms of epilepsy, in order to verify the specificity of the hyperfixation pattern for ADNFLE, and search for a potential involvement of nicotinic receptors in other forms of epilepsy. The investigators aim to study 5 groups of subjects: control subjects (Group 1, 20 subjects); patients with a non lesional partial epilepsy and a predominance of diurnal seizures (Group 2, 12 subjects); patients with an idiopathic generalized epilepsy (Group 3, 12 subjects); patients with nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (Group 4, 3 subjects) and epileptic patients with vagal nerve stimulation (Group 5, 1 subject). For each patient, a cerebral MRI, [18F]- fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT and [18F]-F-A-85380 PET/CT examinations are planned. The investigators will perform data analyses on volume of distribution (Vt) parametric images which will be based on the ratio of brain tissue to unchanged F-A-85380 plasma at equilibrium. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM2) will be used to further study the parametric PET images. This study is primarily dedicated to demonstrate that the pattern of hyperfixation that was obtained in ADNFLE patients is specific for this disorder and does not constitute a common pattern to various forms of epilepsy. The investigators will also search for a possible involvement of the nAChRs in other forms of epilepsy.

Presurgical evaluation of epileptic patients require a precise mapping of cerebral regions implied in epileptic discharges and in normal function. The current practice in most cases is to implant intracerebral electrodes in order to localize these regions in a reliable manner. However, non-invasive methods have been developed in order to record brain activity with no risk for the patient. Still, it is necessary to validate and improve the signal processing methods and the underlying models these methods in order to optimize their use in clinical practice. To do so, it is necessary to record simultaneously electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetoencephalogram (MEG) and stereo encephalogram SEEG (intracerebral). Such simultaneous recordings will permit to confront the exact same activity recorded non-invasively at the surface of the head, and represented on the brain thanks to the model and directly within the brain. The objective is to define the conditions under which one can represent faithfully the activity measured intracerebrally from the surface measurements. It will be record simultaneously MEG, scalp EEG and intracerebral EEG on a series of 60 patients. It will be record resting state signals, as well as stimulation protocols. The interictal epileptic discharges will be marked on the different modalities, and evoked potentials/fields computed in response to protocols. Sensitivity of recordings to activity visible on depth recordings will be evaluated as a function of localization of brain generators. Advanced signal processing methods will be used such as source localization and independent component analysis, in order to increase sensitivity of measures.

The primary objective of this study is to assess the retention rate of perampanel when given as secondary monotherapy in routine clinical care.

Prospective observational study on epilepsy patients undergoing partial brain resection surgery (i.e. anterior temporal lobectomy) to assess the change in dream content before and 3 months and 1 year after surgery using anonymized dream-recall questionnaires. A control group of epilepsy patients undergoing diagnostic depth electrodes placement will complete the same questionnaires pre- and postoperatively to asses the factor 'general anesthesia' as a potential confounder.

The primary aim is to validate a set of computational biomarkers as potential decision support in epilepsy on a large cohort of study participants that were diagnosed with epilepsy and controls that ended up with another diagnosis (such as syncope or non-epileptic seizures). The goal is to examine if the methodology works robustly on this large cohort, and can theoretically contribute to the reduction of misdiagnosis rates. The secondary aim is to examine whether the computational biomarkers could contribute to reducing the waiting time and the number of clinical appointments needed before a final diagnosis is made.