Status Epilepticus

Researchers are evaluating RAP-219, an investigational drug, for adults with refractory focal epilepsy, a condition involving difficult-to-control focal seizures. This open-label, multi-center study aims to assess the long-term safety, tolerability, how the drug behaves in the body, and its antiseizure activity in adults who have not responded well to previous treatments. Participants will receive RAP-219 starting with one 0.125 mg capsule daily for 3 days, then one 0.25 mg tablet daily for 28 days, followed by one 0.75 mg tablet daily for the rest of the treatment period. The study is open-label, meaning all participants know they are receiving RAP-219, and the treatment period may last up to 112 weeks with ongoing monitoring. During the study, participants will be regularly assessed for treatment-related side effects and seizure frequency compared to their baseline before treatment. Researchers will monitor seizure-free days, longest seizure-free intervals, and other seizure-related measures using clinical assessments and RNS system data. Safety will be tracked through adverse event reporting up to 8 weeks after the last dose. The total participation duration can be up to about 2 years, with ongoing evaluations throughout.

Researchers are investigating the use of transcranial direct current stimulation tDCS combined with cognitive training to address symptoms in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder ASD. ASD is characterized by challenges in communication, social skills, repetitive behaviors, and emotional distress triggered by environmental changes. This study aims to determine if baseline resting-state EEG and clinical data can predict which individuals respond to tDCS treatment, helping to improve intervention strategies. Participants will receive active tDCS over 10 sessions during two weeks, with one session per day on consecutive working days. Each session includes 20 minutes of tDCS combined with an online cognitive training program consisting of five exercises targeting information processing speed and executive function. After treatment, participants will be classified as responders or non-responders based on changes in social responsiveness scores. During the study, assessments will measure changes in social communication and repetitive behaviors using the Social Responsiveness Scale, cognitive function through various CANTAB tests, and neurophysiological measures at the start and immediately after the intervention. Researchers will monitor behavioral changes and executive function outcomes to evaluate the impact of the combined treatment over the study period ending in 2026.

Researchers are developing a multicenter registry to collect and share data on pediatric patients who have undergone deep brain stimulation DBS for movement disorders such as dystonia, epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, and mood disorders. The study aims to improve understanding of DBS safety and effectiveness in children, as current data are limited and individual centers often have too few cases for strong research. This registry will support large-scale analyses and help refine DBS as a treatment option for hyperkinetic movement disorders in the pediatric population. The study involves gathering both retrospective and prospective clinical data from multiple pediatric centers. The registry will collect information on surgical techniques, patient outcomes, implant sites, and long-term effects of DBS. This collaborative data-sharing approach enables comprehensive evaluation of which patients benefit most from DBS and how it impacts their quality of life over time. Participants include children aged 0 to 18 years who have already received or are scheduled to receive DBS for neurological movement disorders. Data will be collected over five years to monitor safety, efficacy, and quality of life outcomes. The study does not involve treatment administration but focuses on gathering and analyzing clinical information. Parental or legal guardian consent is required for prospective participation.

Researchers are investigating epilepsy-dyskinesia syndromes, which are rare genetic diseases causing both movement disorders and epilepsy in children. This multinational retrospective survey, supported by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, aims to collect detailed clinical and molecular data to better understand these conditions. The study focuses on identifying patterns in disease features, progression, and genetic links to improve knowledge and support precision medicine. The study collects previously recorded data from multiple countries, harmonizing information on clinical features, disease progression, age of onset, genetic variants, and coexisting neurological conditions. By standardizing this data, the survey addresses challenges in rare disease research like small, dispersed patient groups and inconsistent protocols. The goal is to build a shared clinical database and analyze how movement and seizure disorders relate at both clinical and molecular levels. Participants are children aged 0 to 18 years with diagnosed movement disorders linked to specific genetic variants. The study reviews existing medical records and genetic information without new treatments or interventions. Researchers will assess the disease spectrum, how movement disorders affect quality of life, and the effectiveness of symptomatic treatments over one year. The study encourages international collaboration to advance understanding and improve care for these rare conditions.

Researchers are evaluating the safety, tolerability, and initial effectiveness of low-intensity focused ultrasound LIFU neuromodulation using the NaviFUS System in patients with drug-resistant unilateral or bilateral temporal lobe epilepsy DR-TLE. This pilot study involves adults with epilepsy that has not responded to standard medications, aiming to reduce abnormal brain activity and seizures. Participants will undergo six LIFU treatment sessions over three consecutive weeks. Each treatment uses specific ultrasound exposure settings delivered by the NaviFUS System. Before treatment, patients will be observed and asked to keep a seizure diary for 8 weeks. After completing treatments, there is a 12-week follow-up period to monitor outcomes. Patients may continue their anti-seizure medications throughout the study. Participants will keep a seizure diary throughout the study to track seizure frequency and severity. Researchers will also assess safety by monitoring adverse events for up to 23 weeks. Additional evaluations include EEG scans to observe changes in brain activity, and questionnaires that measure anxiety, depression, and the personal impact of epilepsy. The total study duration includes a 2-month baseline, 3 weeks of treatment, and 12 weeks of follow-up.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of a single dose of Staccato alprazolam compared with a placebo to quickly stop prolonged seizure episodes in people aged 12 years and older with stereotypical prolonged seizures. The study aims to determine if the treatment can stop seizures within 90 seconds and prevent recurrence for up to 2 hours after administration. This is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind clinical trial sponsored by UCB Biopharma SRL. Participants are randomly assigned to receive one dose of either Staccato alprazolam or placebo by inhalation during the treatment period. The study involves a parallel-group design with one treatment administration. Participants are observed for the treatments effect on seizure cessation and recurrence for up to 6 hours. During the study, participants and their caregivers will be monitored for seizure activity and safety outcomes. Various assessments include measuring treatment success within 90 seconds and seizure recurrence at 2, 4, and 6 hours after treatment. Safety is tracked through adverse event monitoring, with follow-up extending to 19 weeks after treatment. The total participation duration is based on these assessments and monitoring periods.

Researchers are evaluating the use of Pulsed Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound PLIFU to reduce or suppress seizure activity in adults experiencing non-convulsive or focal motor status epilepticus SE who have not responded to standard treatments. The study focuses on brain regions that generate or control seizures, aiming to assess the effects of this non-invasive brain stimulation in a hospital setting. Participants will receive up to two sessions of PLIFU treatment in the Intensive Care Unit. Each session lasts 10 minutes and uses a custom device that delivers ultrasound to specific brain areas without damaging tissue. Treatments will be given after anti-seizure medications have been administered, and the ultrasound is applied using safe, non-thermal settings. During the study, participants will be monitored continuously with surface EEG to measure epileptic brain activity before, during, and after PLIFU treatment. Researchers will observe changes in seizure activity and follow participants throughout their hospital stay. The main outcome is the change in epileptiform activity measured by EEG at baseline and 10 minutes after treatment. The study aims to gather preliminary data to support future research.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of an AI-personalized mobile app called Medilepsy in improving medication adherence and transition readiness among underserved adolescents and young adults with epilepsy, ages 14 to 24, in Florida. This study compares the AI-enhanced version of the app with a standard version that does not include AI personalization. The research focuses on key outcomes including medical adherence, usability, and language experience. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups the intervention group uses the AI-personalized Medilepsy app with an interactive Smart Chatbot that provides tailored prompts, adaptive education, and personalized support for epilepsy self-management. The comparison group receives a standard version of the Medilepsy app, which offers static prompts and general educational content without personalized feedback. The study lasts 3 to 6 months, during which participants use their assigned app version. During the study, participants will be monitored for medication adherence and transition readiness skills through app usage and assessments. Researchers will evaluate the usability of the app at the end of the 3 to 6 month period. The study collects data on how well the AI features support epilepsy management compared to the standard app version. Safety and participant engagement are also observed throughout the trial duration.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of targeted transcranial direct current stimulation tDCS as a treatment for refractory status epilepticus, a severe type of seizure that does not respond to standard medications. This study compares real tDCS treatment to a sham inactive stimulation to better understand its potential benefits and risks. Participants are randomly assigned to either receive actual tDCS, where a 2 mA cathodal current is applied over the seizure onset zone for 20 minutes twice a day for several days up to 10 sessions, or to a sham group where the device is inactive but mimics the treatment schedule. Both groups follow the same timing and frequency of stimulation. During the study, participants will be monitored with EEG to assess seizure activity and determine if the status epilepticus ends. Researchers will track treatment-related side effects and compare outcomes between the two groups. The study lasts about one year on average, with ongoing evaluations until study completion.

Stroke, severe brain injury, status epilepticus, and meningitis are serious neurological illnesses that often lead to seizures and infections, causing poor patient outcomes if not treated properly. This research focuses on a condition called augmented renal clearance ARC, where kidney function is enhanced, affecting how medications are cleared from the body. The study aims to better understand ARC in patients with life-threatening neurological illnesses to improve medication dosing and treatment success. The study is a multicenter prospective observational design involving adult patients admitted to Neuroscience Intensive Care Units with severe neurological conditions like intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, status epilepticus, meningitis, and traumatic brain injury. Participants will have their kidney function measured daily through urine collection for up to 10 days or until ICU discharge. Blood samples will be collected from patients receiving certain anti-seizure and antibiotic medications to measure drug levels and suggest dose adjustments for those with ARC. During the study, researchers will collect urine and blood samples to detect ARC and its contributing factors. They will track kidney clearance and drug concentrations during hospital stays. The primary measures include creatinine clearance over 10 days or until ICU discharge and drug concentration after consistent dosing. This work aims to provide guidelines for identifying ARC and optimizing medication dosing to improve outcomes for patients with critical neurological illnesses.