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Benzodiazepine

Diazepam for Epilepsy

Phase 1 & 2
Waitlist Available
Led By Jeffrey Britton, MD
Research Sponsored by Mayo Clinic
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be older than 18 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline, 3 months
Awards & highlights

Summary

This trial aims to see if diazepam can reduce seizures in patients with epilepsy linked to high levels of GAD65 antibodies. Diazepam helps calm brain activity by boosting the effect of a natural calming chemical, GABA. This approach is being tested because these patients often don't respond to usual treatments. Diazepam has been used as an anticonvulsant, but its usage has recently decreased.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who have tried at least two anti-seizure medications without success. Participants must show high levels of GAD65 antibodies in their blood or CSF and not have changed their treatment in the last month. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, those with other seizure-related antibodies, alternative causes for epilepsy, current benzodiazepine use, or regular opiate use cannot join.
What is being tested?
The study is testing if diazepam can reduce seizure frequency in patients whose epilepsy is associated with high levels of GAD65 antibodies. Diazepam's effectiveness as a treatment option will be evaluated by monitoring changes in seizure occurrences.
What are the potential side effects?
Diazepam may cause drowsiness, fatigue, muscle weakness, and coordination problems. Some people might also experience confusion or slowed breathing especially when combined with other medications that affect brain function.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline, 3 months
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, 3 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change in seizure frequency

Trial Design

1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: GAD65 Associated EpilepsyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Subjects diagnosed with GAD65 associated epilepsy, serum high-titer GAD65 positivity, trialed and failed at least 2 anti-seizure medications, at least 4 seizures per month will be started on diazepam.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Diazepam
2016
Completed Phase 4
~2800

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.
Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
Common treatments for epilepsy often target the modulation of neuronal activity to prevent seizures. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine, enhances the activity of GABA-A receptors, increasing neuronal inhibition and reducing seizure activity. This is crucial for epilepsy patients as it helps stabilize neuronal firing and prevent the excessive electrical activity that characterizes seizures. Other common AEDs include sodium channel blockers like carbamazepine and phenytoin, which reduce neuronal excitability by stabilizing inactive sodium channels, and calcium channel blockers like ethosuximide, which inhibit T-type calcium channels to prevent abnormal electrical activity. These mechanisms are vital for managing epilepsy, as they help maintain a balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain, reducing the frequency and severity of seizures.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Mayo ClinicLead Sponsor
3,307 Previous Clinical Trials
2,962,369 Total Patients Enrolled
22 Trials studying Epilepsy
1,051 Patients Enrolled for Epilepsy
Jeffrey Britton, MDPrincipal InvestigatorMayo Clinic
Kelsey Smith, MDPrincipal InvestigatorMayo Clinic

Media Library

Diazepam (Benzodiazepine) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05361447 — Phase 1 & 2
Epilepsy Research Study Groups: GAD65 Associated Epilepsy
Epilepsy Clinical Trial 2023: Diazepam Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05361447 — Phase 1 & 2
Diazepam (Benzodiazepine) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05361447 — Phase 1 & 2
~1 spots leftby Dec 2024