Why Are Patients With Absence Seizures Absent? A Brain Imaging Study

Childhood Absence Epilepsy Clinical Trial

Official title:

Functional Neuroimaging in Childhood Absence Epilepsy

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00393666
• Other study ID #: NIH R01 NS055829
• Secondary ID: HIC # 18514
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: October 23, 2006
• Last updated: January 25, 2016
• Start date: September 2006
• Est. completion date: September 2015

Study information

• Verified date: January 2016
• Source: Yale University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United States: Institutional Review Board
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

Our study examines which different brain regions are involved in child absence seizures and how they are related to attention and cognition.

Description:

The fundamental mechanisms of altered brain function and impaired attention in childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) are not known. Absence seizures consist of brief 5-10 seconds episodes of unresponsiveness, associated with a 3-4 Hz "spike-wave" discharge on electroencephalogram (EEG). CAE affects 10-15% of children with epilepsy. In addition to the deficit during seizures, many children also suffer from milder attention impairment between absence episodes, which may not be due entirely to medications. Impaired attention during and between absence seizures has a major negative impact on patient quality of life due to deficits in school performance, potential for injuries, and social stigma.

Recent studies suggest that impaired cognition in so-called "generalized" absence seizures may, in fact, depend on dysfunction in specific brain networks. Our central hypothesis is: abnormal function in focal brain regions, such as the anterior cingulate/medial prefrontal cortex and medial thalamus, causes impaired attention both during and between seizures in CAE. If confirmed, this may lead to innovative regional therapies targeted at improving impaired attention in CAE. Specifically, we hope to determine which specific cortical and sub-cortical networks are selectively involved when patients show impaired attention. Using simultaneous EEG and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we will determine which brain regions are involved in absence seizures while using a continuous performance task (CPT) to test attention vigilance in the same patients. A few neuropsychology tests will then follow. Patients will be reimbursed $100 as well as all travel and parking expenses.

For more information, please visit www.yalecae.com

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 180
• Est. completion date: September 2015
• Est. primary completion date: September 2015
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 6 Years to 18 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Confirmed diagnosis of childhood absence epilepsy or juvenile absence epilepsy

• No other serious health problems or neurological problems

• 6 years or older

Exclusion Criteria:

• No history of myoclonic or tonic-clonic seizures

Study Design

Observational Model: Case Control, Time Perspective: Prospective

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Childhood Absence Epilepsy
• Epilepsy
• Epilepsy, Absence

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Yale University School of Medicine, Neurology Department	New Haven	Connecticut

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Yale University	National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States,