Funding News - Epilepsy

Persons with Seizures or Epilepsy Sought for Study
NINDS is seeking persons with seizures or epilepsy to participate in a research study. This study has three purposes: 1) to screen patients with seizures for participation in other research studies of NINDS's Clinical Epilepsy Section (CES), 2) to follow the natural course of seizure disorders, and 3) to train CES fellows in evaluating and treating epilepsy. This study includes a health history, physical and neurological examinations, and one or more non-invasive tests such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain.

Participants must be 2 years of age or older and have seizures that occur frequently. Children under age 18 must have written consent from a parent. Persons who are pregnant, and children under age 2 may not be eligible. The study will take place at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, and requires an initial 3-hour visit to the NIH to determine eligibility, an inpatient visit that may take up to 3 weeks, and 3 repeat visits for imaging tests.

For more information, contact the Patient Recruitment Office at 800-411-1222, or via email at prpl@cc.nih.gov. Please refer to study number 00-N-0139.

Persons with Uncontrolled Epilepsy Sought for Study
NINDS is seeking adults with epilepsy that is not controlled by medication (medically intractable epilepsy) and who are planning seizure surgery to participate in a research study. The study will test the effects of an experimental medication infused into the brain at the time of surgery. This study will increase our understanding of epilepsy and may lead to a new type of treatment for medically intractable epilepsy.

Eligible persons must have uncontrolled epilepsy, be 18-70 years of age, and be able to have MRI scans. Study participants will be screened in research study 01-N-0139 (Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Epilepsy) to confirm that they are candidates for seizure surgery. Surgical candidates will enter the study (00-N-0158) and undergo surgical placement of a tube into the region of the brain where the seizures originate. Saline (salt water) and muscimol, the experimental medication that suppresses brain activity, will be infused through this tube and into the seizure focus. Neurological examinations, EEG, and MRI scans will evaluate the effects of the infusions. Standard surgical treatment for medically intractable epilepsy will be provided after the infusions. The study requires a 2- to 4-week inpatient stay at the NIH. Travel, epilepsy surgery, and study-related expenses will be paid by the NIH.

For more information, contact the Patient Recruitment Office at 800-411-1222, or via email at prpl@cc.nih.gov. Please refer to study number 00-N-0158.