Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Poorly Controlled Partial Epilepsy

NCT00001666 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 97009297-N-0092
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to stimulate brain activity and gather information about brain function. It is very useful when studying the areas of the brain related to motor activity (motor cortex, corticospinal tract, and corpus callosum). Epilepsy is a condition associated with seizures as a result of an over excitable cerebral cortex. Despite the introduction of several new antiepileptic medications, less than half of the patients diagnosed with partial epilepsy are well controlled. However, studies have shown that non-invasive stimulation of the brain can decrease the excitability of the cerebral cortex. Researchers are interested in the potential therapeutic effects of TMS on patients with epilepsy that have responded poorly to standard medication. This study will use TMS to decrease the excitability of the areas of the brain responsible for seizures.

Conditions

Partial Epilepsy; Seizures

Keywords

Seizures; Partial Epilepsy; Intractable; TMS

Interventions

Cadwell High-Speed Magnetoelectric Stimulator DEVICE

Magpro High-Speed Magnetoelectric Stimulator DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Age 5 to 60 at entry to protocol. History of partial or Complex Partial Epilepsy for two or more years. Patients should be on a stable anti-convulsant regimen defined as unchanged medicines and dose modifications lower than 20% in the last month. Blood levels of anti-convulsants will be measured at the beginning of the study, prior to stimulation and after the study to assure that the type and dose of medication will remain constant. Seizures not completely responsive to medical treatment (1 or more seizures per week for at least 6 months) and patients have failed at least two anti-convulsant regimens in the past. The patients have a localized seizure focus. Epilepsy refractory to medical treatments. No pregnant women (will be tested with urine pregnancy test). No severe coronary disease. No metal anywhere in the cranium except the mouth. No intracardiac lines. No increased intracranial pressure as expressed by the presence of papilledema. No cardiac pacemakers. Must not be taking neuroleptic or antidepressant medications. No progressive neurologic disease.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Abou-Khalil BW, Siegel GJ, Sackellares JC, Gilman S, Hichwa R, Marshall R. Positron emission tomography studies of cerebral glucose metabolism in chronic partial epilepsy. Ann Neurol. 1987 Oct;22(4):480-6. doi: 10.1002/ana.410220407.

  PMID: 3124709 BACKGROUND

• Classen J, Witte OW, Schlaug G, Seitz RJ, Holthausen H, Benecke R. Epileptic seizures triggered directly by focal transcranial magnetic stimulation. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1995 Jan;94(1):19-25. doi: 10.1016/0013-4694(94)00249-k.

  PMID: 7530636 BACKGROUND

• Derby LE, Tennis P, Jick H. Sudden unexplained death among subjects with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsia. 1996 Oct;37(10):931-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1996.tb00529.x.

  PMID: 8822690 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Epilepsies, Partial; Seizures

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Epilepsy; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 1999
• First Posted: November 4, 1999
• Study Start: March 1, 1997
• Study Completion: June 1, 2002
• Last Updated: March 4, 2008

Record last verified: 2002-06

Locations

US (1)