View clinical trials related to Epilepsy.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to assess whether changing antiepileptic medication can reduce side effects and improve the quality of life in patients with epileptic seizures that are well controlled with antiepileptic drugs.
Angiographies of the supra-aortic vessels by magnetic imaging have become common recently. So it was the purpose of this study to evaluate the imaging potential of different contrast agents. Three contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging are compared in angiographies of the supra-aortic arteries in a intraindividual study of 10 patients. All applications of these contrast agents are performed with a flow of 2 ml/s. One contrast medium is applicated a second time with a reduced flow of 1 ml/s. The angiographies of the supra-aortic vessels are evaluated by two experienced readers in a consensus reading. The signal/noise- and contrast/noise-ratio of anatomic vessel segments of the carotic and vertebral arteries are measured and compared to each other.
This is a prospective study to determine whether the Atkins diet reduces seizures, creates ketosis, and is well tolerated in adults with epilepsy. Approximately 30 patients will be enrolled, expecting 20 to complete the 6-month study. The investigators plan to establish the seizure baseline and type, initiate the Atkins diet, then monitor its administration in terms of seizure reduction, ketosis, and side effects for a 6-month period.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the tolerability, safety and efficacy of topiramate in infants with refractory partial onset seizures (POS).
This study is being conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of LAMICTAL (lamotrigine) extended-release with placebo in the treatment of partial seizures. LAMICTAL extended-release is an investigational drug. Placebo tablets look like LAMICTAL extended-release tablets but do not contain active medication. In this study, LAMICTAL extended-release or placebo tablets will be added to current seizure treatments.
This study is being conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of LAMICTAL (lamotrigine) extended-release with placebo in the treatment of Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic (PGTC) seizures. LAMICTAL extended-release is an investigational drug. Placebo tablets look like LAMICTAL extended-release tablets but do not contain active medication. In this study, LAMICTAL extended-release or placebo tablets will be added to current seizure treatments.
The purpose of this research is to study the safety and effectiveness of bilateral stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus as adjunctive therapy for reducing the frequency of seizures in adults diagnosed with epilepsy characterized by partial-onset seizures, with or without secondary generalization, that are refractory to antiepileptic medications.
The purpose of this study is to determine the best initial treatment for childhood absence epilepsy.
This study will explore whether the human herpes virus-6 is associated with epileptic seizures. The virus may be involved in brain scarring, called mesial temporal sclerosis, which is seen in some epilepsy patients. The virus is also thought possibly to interfere with neurotransmitters - chemicals that brain cells use to communicate with each other. This study will measure levels of two of these chemicals, GABA and glutamate, which are believed to play a role in the development of seizures. Patients with epilepsy, with or without mesial temporal sclerosis, and healthy control subjects 18 years of age and older may be eligible for this study. Control subjects may not be taking any medication on a regular basis. Epilepsy patients may take only phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, or levetiracetam. Candidates are screened with a physical examination and blood tests. Participants have blood drawn and undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Blood Draw Up to four teaspoons of blood are drawn through a needle in the arm for this study. MRI MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce pictures of the brain. The scanner is a metal cylinder surrounded by a strong magnetic field. During the scan, the subject lies on a bed that slides into the cylinder, wearing earplugs to muffle loud noises the machine makes when the magnetic fields are switched. The scan takes about 90 to 120 minutes, during which time the subject can communicate with the technician. Lumbar Puncture For this test the subject sits upright or lies on his or her side with knees curled at the chest. A local anesthetic is injected at the lower back, and a needle is inserted in the space between the bones where the cerebrospinal fluid circulates below the spinal cord. A small amount of fluid is collected through the needle. Collection of the fluid usually takes from 5 to 20 minutes.
This study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to examine how the brain processes tasks involving language and emotion in normal volunteers and in patients with epilepsy. MRI is a diagnostic and research tool that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to obtain images of body organs and tissues. The MRI scanner is a metal cylinder surrounded by a magnetic field. During the test, the subject lies on a table that can slide in and out of the cylinder. DTI involves taking pictures of the brain while the subject is at rest in order to learn about the structure of the brain. Information gained from this study will help scientists evaluate the organization of language and emotional functions in the brain. Normal volunteers and patients with temporal lobe epilepsy 18 years of age and older who are native English speakers and who will undergo surgery for uncontrolled seizures may be eligible for this study. Candidates are initially screened by telephone, then with physical and neurologic examinations and cognitive testing. The study has two parts, conducted 6 to 12 months apart. Each part consists of the same sets of tests described below, using fMRI and DTI. In patients with epilepsy, Part 1 is scheduled before surgery and Part 2 after surgery. - fMRI: Subjects are asked to perform two types of tasks while they undergo fMRI. In one task, they are shown pictures of animals and tools and are asked to name them. In a second task, they are shown pictures that range in content from sexually explicit material, to human injury and surgical slides, to pleasant images of children and wildlife and are asked to decide whether they find the pictures pleasant, neutral, or unpleasant. - DTI: Subjects relax and remain still in the MRI scanner for about 45 minutes. - Neuropsychological testing: Subjects may be asked to complete questionnaires, take pen-and-paper or computerized tests, and perform motor tasks. Participants may be asked to repeat the MRI studies, but not the neuropsychological tests, up to four times to investigate different brain functions or to confirm findings.