Efficacy of Epidiolex in Patients With Electrical Status Epilepticus of Sleep (ESES).

August 26, 2026 updated by: Sanjeev Vithal Kothare, Northwell Health
This study aims to assess the efficacy of Epidiolex in patients with ESES. ESES is characterized by sleep potentiated spikes with a spike index greater than 85% (conventional definition) and 50% (new definition)1. Several drugs including: steroids, intravenous Gama globulin, Clobazam, other benzodiazepines, Valproic acid, and other anti-epileptic drugs have been tried with mixed benefits2,3. Cannabidiol (CBD) would provide a novel mechanism of action to assess for its efficacy in this population. This will be a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study attempts to view the effect of Epidiolex on subjects with Electrical Status Epilepticus of Sleep (ESES). ESES can cause various types of seizures which can fluctuate during sleep. Similar studies have been conducted with Epidiolex with other seizure disorders such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet Syndrome. Since there is no data available on the effect of Cannabidiol (CBD) on patients with ESES, this study hopes to fill that void. As such, patients that have been diagnosed with ESES will be eligible to participate in this study to ascertain whether or not Epidiolex can reduce the frequency or intensity of the seizures brought on by ESES during sleep.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
16

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • New York
      • Lake Success, New York, United States, 11042
        • Northwell Health

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

2 years to 17 years (Child)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
  2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
  3. Male or female, aged 2-17 years old
  4. In good general health as evidenced by medical history or diagnosed with ESES. "Good health" in relation to this study is understood as stable without current seizures requiring immediate hospitalization.
  5. Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the Epidiolex/Placebo regimen
  6. For females of reproductive potential: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation and for an additional 1 month after the end of oral Epidiolex administration
  7. For males of reproductive potential: use of condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception with partner

Exclusion Criteria:An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

  1. Previous use of cannabidiol within 4 months.
  2. Pregnancy or lactation
  3. Known allergic reactions to components of the Epidiolex: cannabidiol, sesame seed oil, and sucralose
  4. Febrile illness within 1 month of screening
  5. Treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention within 6 months
  6. Current smoker or tobacco use within 6 months

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: IP
Epidiolex (Cannabidiol) is a colorless to yellow solution in a 100mL vial that is to be administered with a 5mL syringe.The starting dosage is 2.5 mg/kg twice daily, or 5 mg/kg/day. After one week, the dosage can be increased to a maintenance dosage of 5mg/kg twice daily, or 10 mg/kg/day. Patients who are tolerating Epidiolex at 10mg/kg per day and require further reduction of seizures may benefit from a dosage increase up to a maximum recommended maintenance. Dosage of 10mg/kg twice daily (20mg/kg/day), in weekly increments of 2.5 mg/kg twice daily(5mg/kg/day), as tolerated. For patients in whom a more rapid titration from 10 mg/kg/day to 20 mg/kg/day is warranted, the dosage may be increased to no more frequently than every other day administration of the 20 mg/kg/day. Dosage resulted in somewhat greater reductions in seizure rates than the recommended maintenance dosage of 10 mg/kg/day, but with an increase in adverse reactions.
Drug: Epidiolex 100 mg/mL Oral Solution
Epidiolex is a schedule 5 controlled substance that is a colorless to yellow oral liquid solution that is prepackaged into 100mL vials with 5mL syringes for use. It is typically used for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) or Dravet Syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Placebo is a colorless to yellow solution in a 100mL vial that is to be administered with a 5mL syringe. The starting dosage is 2.5 mg/kg twice daily, or 5 mg/kg/day. After one week, the dosage can be increased to a maintenance dosage of 5mg/kg twice daily, or 10 mg/kg/day. Patients who are tolerating Placebo at 10mg/kg per day and require further reduction of seizures may benefit from a dosage increase up to a maximum recommended maintenance. Dosage of 10mg/kg twice daily (20mg/kg/day), in weekly increments of 2.5 mg/kg twice daily(5mg/kg/day), as tolerated. For patients in whom a more rapid titration from 10 mg/kg/day to 20 mg/kg/day is warranted, the dosage may be increased to no more frequently than every other day administration of the 20 mg/kg/day. Dosage resulted in somewhat greater reductions in seizure rates than the recommended maintenance dosage of 10 mg/kg/day, but with an increase in adverse reactions.
Other: Placebo
Placebo is composed of dehydrated alcohol, sesame seed oil, strawberry flavor, and sucralose.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Frequency of Spike Wave Index
Time Frame: Up to 20 weeks
Assess the reduction in spike wave index by evaluating the differences in activity from the four 24-hour ambulatory EEGs each participant obtains while enrolled in this study
Up to 20 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Likert Scale Assessment
Time Frame: Up to 20 weeks
The secondary objective is to assess seizure counts and subjective behavior change on a 5 point Likert scale (1= no improvement, 2= some improvement, 3=moderate improvement, 4=significant improvement, 5=extreme improvement).
Up to 20 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Northwell Health

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 10, 2021

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
January 17, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
January 17, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 24, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 21, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 25, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 26, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 20-0168

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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