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

January 25, 2016 updated by: Hal Blumenfeld, Yale University

Functional Neuroimaging in Childhood Absence Epilepsy

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

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed 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

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

180

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Connecticut
      • New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06510
        • Yale University School of Medicine, Neurology Department

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

Ages Eligible for Study

6 years to 18 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Pediatric patients diagnosed with absence epilepsy

Description

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 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

  • Observational Models: Case-Control
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Yale University

Collaborators

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Hal Blumenfeld, MD, PhD, Yale University
  • Study Director: Michiro Negishi, PhD, Diagnostic Radiology
  • Study Director: R. Todd Constable, PhD, Yale University
  • Study Director: Jennifer Guo, MS, Yale University

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

September 1, 2006

Primary Completion (Actual)

September 1, 2015

Study Completion (Actual)

September 1, 2015

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 23, 2006

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 26, 2006

First Posted (Estimate)

October 29, 2006

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

January 26, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 25, 2016

Last Verified

January 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NIH R01 NS055829
  • HIC # 18514

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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