Stereoelectroencephalography for Epilepsy
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how the brain senses signals from inside the body, affecting symptoms like tics, compulsions, and mood changes. Researchers use stereoelectroencephalography, which records and stimulates brain activity, to gain a deeper understanding of these processes. The study targets individuals with medication-resistant epilepsy who may require brain surgery. Those already undergoing invasive monitoring as part of their epilepsy treatment and capable of completing tasks and questionnaires may be suitable participants. The findings could enhance understanding and treatment of symptoms caused by abnormal internal body signals. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could lead to new insights and treatments for epilepsy-related symptoms.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that using anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) with known psychiatric complications is allowed, so you might be able to continue those.
What prior data suggests that stereoelectroencephalography is safe for epilepsy?
Research has shown that stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) is generally safe for people with epilepsy. In studies involving over 6,000 patients with medication-resistant epilepsy, SEEG resulted in low complication rates, indicating that serious side effects were rare. One study found that procedures guided by SEEG were safe, with only temporary muscle weakness reported in some cases. These findings suggest that SEEG is well-tolerated and rarely causes lasting problems.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about using stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) for epilepsy because it offers a unique way to understand and treat seizures by directly monitoring brain activity. Unlike standard treatments like anti-seizure medications or surgical resections, SEEG involves implanting electrodes in the brain to precisely map seizure origins. This precise mapping can help tailor treatment plans that are highly specific to each patient's needs, potentially leading to more effective and personalized management of epilepsy. By capturing the brain's electrical activity in real-time during tasks designed to change interoceptive attention and arousal, SEEG can provide new insights into how seizures start and spread, paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches.
What evidence suggests that stereoelectroencephalography is effective for epilepsy?
Research has shown that stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), a technique participants in this trial will undergo, effectively pinpoints the brain area causing seizures in people with epilepsy. This precision aids doctors in planning better treatments, often leading to improved outcomes. Studies have found that SEEG has helped many patients become seizure-free or experience fewer seizures. Even when MRI scans fail to provide clear answers, SEEG can still offer useful information. Overall, SEEG serves as a valuable tool for understanding and treating epilepsy, especially when other methods fall short.36789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Allison Waters
Principal Investigator
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy who may benefit from surgery. They must be undergoing routine surgical management that includes invasive brain activity monitoring, have sufficient hand use for tasks and questionnaires, normal vision or corrected-to-normal vision, and can understand English well enough to follow instructions.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Interoceptive Challenge Battery
Participants undergo simultaneous stereoelectroencephalography recording while completing tasks to evoke changes in interoceptive attention, arousal, and anticipation
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the interoceptive challenge battery
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Stereoelectroencephalography
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator