Active clinical trials for "Epilepsy"

This international research project looks at the reliability of canine seizure alerting behaviour in epilepsy patients. In the first stage an international database to identify the size and composition of the population of seizure alerting dogs has been created.

In clinical practice language impairment is frequently reported in association with nocturnal epileptiform activity. There is a spectrum of epileptic conditions that are characterized by nocturnal epileptiform activity. From mild to severe this spectrum involves: Rolandic epilepsy (RE), nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (NFLE), Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS) and electrical status epilepticus during slow wave sleep (ESES). The exact characteristic of the relationship between nocturnal epileptiform activity and language impairment is yet to be explored. The investigators suggest that nocturnal epileptiform EEG discharges and nocturnal epileptic seizures during development will cause diseased neuronal networks that involve language. The diseased neuronal networks are less efficient compared with normal neuronal networks. Objective: Identification of a diseased neuronal network characteristic in children with nocturnal epileptiform activity, which can explain language impairment in these children. For this the investigators will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to analyse brain activity and diffusion weighted MRI to investigate white matter connectivity.

The aim of the proposed research is to compare the diagnostic accuracy of a portable wireless electroencephalography (EEG) device (Biosignal Micro-EEG) to standard EEG in identifying abnormal EEG patterns (mainly non-convulsive seizure and non-convulsive status epilepticus) in emergency department (ED) patients with altered mental status. Comparing the the accuracy of EEG recordings and interpretations of Micro-EEG to those of standard EEG will allow the investigators to assess the utility of this novel device in the ED patients with altered mental status. The unique qualities of Micro-EEG device could potentially facilitate easier access to EEG test in all ED patients. This study will also provide valid information regarding the prevalence of non-convulsive seizure in ED patients with altered mental status.The gold standard for diagnosing non-convulsive seizure would be standard EEG. All study participants will undergo electroencephalography using the two devices (standard EEG and micro-EEG) and a combination of standard electrodes and Electro-Cap in a randomized order: 1. Standard EEG with standard EEG electrodes, 2. Micro-EEG with standard EEG electrodes, and 3. Micro-EEG with Electro-Cap electrodes.

The EEG is widely used in the diagnosis of central nervous system pathology, including epileptic seizures and epilepsy. Presently, EEG is available only during office hours in most hospitals, pending on the availability of a clinical neurophysiologist and the lack of oncall possibility outside these hours. Standard EEG devices are large and their operation require meticulous application of several leads. The department of clinical neurophysiology at Helsinki University Central Hospital has developed a mini-EEG device for use in the emergency department as well as in the prehospital setting. The aims of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of the mini-EEG in the prehospital setting. Patients with a decreased level of consciousness, as evaluated by the emergency medical provider on the scene, are included. The mini--EEG device is to be used by a specially trained emergency medical supervisor. EEG is otherwise obtained in a normal fashion, but only three electrodes are used. The sample size is 30. Data are collected as a part of the clinical work in daily practice. The aim is to collect observational data on feasibility, no clinical interventions will be performed based on the EEG. No funding is needed as data is collected during daily work. The mini-EEG is a prototype EEG/EKG-adapter, designed by Helsinki Univeristy Central Hospital, and as such, does not have a trade name. It is to be connected to a monitor/defibrillator used by the EMS personel, currently the LifePak 15, manufactured by Physio-Control, Redmond, WA 98052. (www.physio-control.com)

The purpose of this study is to collect continuous observational data during a clinical Epilepsy Monitoring Unit evaluation.

The purpose of this study is to gather ECG data during normal activity, exercise, and sleep from normal subjects with or without well-controlled epilepsy. This normal subject data will serve as "true negative" (i.e., no seizure occurring) challenge data for testing cardiac based seizure detection algorithms.

This open-label, multi-center study is open to patients 1 to 18 years of age at time of enrollment with medication resistant epilepsy.

Using Synaptive Medical's BrightMatter™ products to better visualize and plan epilepsy surgeries by considering white matter tracts, and considering whether the technology results in improved clinical outcomes.

Reconstruction software allows visualization of cortical structure in 3 dimensions, showing on a single picture the position of all the electrodes. The EEG signal of each recording plot of the electrode is analyzed and compared with the underlying brain structure reconstructed by the software. It is therefore possible to visualize 1) ictogenic and epileptogenic areas using neurophysiological stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) data and 2) adjacent functional cortical areas with functional imaging and SEEG. Software makes it possible to determine the links between these areas. This study aims to show that using these software is an asset in surgical decision and in the choice of surgical strategy. Each patient has presurgical evaluation (usual care), including morphologic and (if necessary) functional MRI, EEG and SEEG. In this study, software will be used to analyze the processed data (FSL software, FMRIB laboratory, Oxford University and BrainVisa/Anatomist. The surgical decision will be taken according to the usual staff procedures, based on the usual examination results. After the decision making process, the staff will be asked to reconsider the surgical decision, according to the analysis provided by the software. The discrepancies between the decisions will be recorded.

Rationale : Persons with epilepsy have a greater risk of incurring accidental injury and a higher mortality risk than the general population. The main objective of the study is to understand life experience of the disease or risks associated with epilepsy in patients with epilepsy, relatives of patients and bereaved families. Study design: Qualitative study (study based on interviews) Population: Three groups will be interviewed: bereaved families, patients with epilepsy and relatives of patient. Bereaved family: relatives who contact the French sentinel network "Réseau Sentinelle Mortalité Epilepsie" (RSME) notifying an epilepsy-related death (regardless the cause of the death and the timeframe between death and interview). Patients with epilepsy: patients having a secure diagnostic of epilepsy from 15 years old to 65 years old. Relatives of patients with epilepsy: spouse/husband or parents invited by a patient with epilepsy to participate to the interview who consent to participate. Method: Semi structured in-depth interviews will be conducted by an experienced qualitative psychologist in face to face, at home, at the hospital or at any other place (depending on the choice of the participants). The interview topic guide will be centered on participants'personal experience. Interviews will be digitally recorded and will be transcribed by a secretary. The results of this study will be integrated in educational therapeutic programs regarding prevention of risks related to epilepsy.