Active clinical trials for "Epilepsy"

The seizure detection and warning system is an ambulatory system designed to monitor and analyze EMG data to detect the onset of GTC seizures and to provide a warning signal to alert caregivers that a seizure is occurring.

Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder in the world, affecting more than 50 million people worldwide. Approximately 35% of patients with epilepsy are refractory to all available antiepileptic drugs. Drug-resistant epilepsies are often partial or focal. Patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy suffer from an increased risk of death, primarily due to seizure-related fatalities, in comparison with the general population. The only therapeutic option for this form of epilepsy is the surgical removal of the region of the brain responsible for seizures, called the epileptogenic zone (EZ). This requires the precise localization of the EZ based on a comprehensive pre-surgical evaluation of patients. Today the gold standard for localizing the EZ and validating a non-invasive technique for localization of the EZ remains intracerebral stereo-EEG (stereo-electroencephalography or SEEG) recordings of spontaneous seizures. The implementation strategy of the intracerebral depth electrodes is guided by clinical and neuroimaging data, including anatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with FDG (fluoro-Deoxy-Glucose) and MagnetoEncephaloGraphy (MEG). Although the contribution of each technique in the pre-surgical localization of the EZ has already been shown, no wide-scale study has examined the cumulative contribution of these three techniques.

The Objective of this study is to compare 2-year retention rate of topiramate, levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine in a long term epilepsy treatment.

This is an observational study exploring the genetics of lacosamide response. The study will last 3 years and has been divided in to three stages; 1) recruitment, 2) observational phase, 3) genotyping and analysis. Patients initiating lacosamide are recruited and their baseline seizure frequency is assessed retrospectively. Patients are then monitored for 18 months with an assessment (via interview and where possible seizure diaries) of seizure frequency and other treatment related phenotypes every 3 months. The recruitment period will span months 1-12, the observational period will span months 1-30 and analysis of data will be conducted between months 30-36 (see Figure 2 below). Target sample size is 610. Primary objective: To determine the clinical relevance of genetic variation in predicting lacosamide responsive and non-responsive patients. Secondary objectives: To determine the clinical relevance of genetic variation in predicting: Optimal dose of lacosamide Adverse drug reactions to lacosamide

Background: Childhood epilepsy disorders are particular frequent in the area around Mahenge, southern Tanzania and recent studies have described a novel type of epilepsy with repetitive head nodding episodes and often progressive cognitive dysfunction. Despite the disease affecting thousands in Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan, etiology and pathogenesis of the disorder termed Nodding Syndrome (NS) is still obscure as the phenotype remains imprecisely described. Epidemiological associations with Onchocerca volvulus and Mansonella spp. were noted at different African sites and remain robust even though no evidence for the presence of O. volvulus in CSF or any previous contact with the CSF was found. Hypothesis: With regard to the complex host immune reaction to O. volvulus, the investigators hypothesize that the immune response against filariae might contribute to NS and epilepsy. The investigators further assume that specific genetic traits might play a role in the pathogenesis of NS. Aims In the present study the investigators aim to examine if and how O. volvulus and/or Mansonella spp. contribute to the pathology of NS/epilepsy and therefore intend to analyze the filarial infection and the host immune response in affected children. To identify inherited traits predisposing for epilepsy, NS or specific immune responses, a genetic workup that includes whole-exome sequencing (WES) is performed. The clinical and EEG characteristics are further defined. Cognitive impairment of people with epilepsy and NS is assessed using the Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability (WNV). Study design: A cross-sectional observational (groups I-III) and a case-control (groups I-V) study recruiting in total 250 patients and controls (I: people with NS, n=50; II: people with epilepsy (PWE) and onchocerciasis, n=50; III: PWE without onchocerciasis, n=50; IV: controls with onchocerciasis but otherwise healthy, n= 50; healthy controls without evidence for onchocerciasis, n= 50) is performed to describe the clinical characteristics in children with NS/epilepsy and to evaluate differences in infection and immune response between groups, respectively. The WNV should be validated in 500 healthy controls to obtain reference data in rural Africa. Summary: In summary, the study aims to elucidate clinical characteristics and the pathogenesis of NS/epilepsy in children of southern Tanzania and role of parasitic infection as a cause for NS/epilepsy.

We aim to o evaluate the role of conventional and advanced MRI sequences in diagnosis of idiopathic temporal lobe epilepsy including identification and lateralization of epileptogenic focus.

This is an observational study of subjects receiving standard of care therapy, while admitted to Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Department of Neurology, General Hospital Hietzing with Neurological Center Rosenhügel. Additional monitoring provided by the SPEAC System will be compared to the gold standard, vEEG. The SPEAC System is being evaluated while being used in adjunct to standard of care.

The aim of our project is to develop an epileptic seizure detection algorithm based on the the continuous analysis of the Electrocardiogram

multi-central and prospectively study the diagnostic value of autoimmune antibody detection in new and chronic epilepsy, and provide reference for clinical practice

The purpose of this study is to investigate insula structural connectivity in temporal epilepsy patients. Insula being at the interface of frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes, its structural organization reflects the brain function. We hypothetize that insular structural organization will be different according to the different subtypes of temporal epilepsy.