Studying seizures and ways to treat drug-resistant epilepsy
Screens and tests people with epilepsy whose seizures respond poorly to medicine.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Investigating Epilepsy: Screening and Evaluation
Key facts
- Where
- Bethesda, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 8 and 110 years old?
Source: NCT03478852, who can take part
Where in United States
- National Institutes of Health Clinical CenterBethesda, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- Trial code
- NCT03478852
- Record updated
- 26 October 2026
- Original description
Background:Read full original descriptionShow less
Investigating Epilepsy: Screening and Evaluation
Background:
Epilepsy affects about 1 percent of the U.S. population. Most people with epilepsy respond well to medicine, but some do not. Researchers want people who have diagnosed or suspected epilepsy to participate in ongoing studies. They want to learn more about clinical care for epilepsy. They want fellows and residents to learn more about the care of people with epilepsy.
Objectives:
To learn more about seizures and find ways to best treat people with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Eligibility:
Adults and children ages 8 years and older with diagnosed or suspected epilepsy
Design:
Participants will be screened with:
Physical exam
Medical history
Questionnaires
Participants will have many visits. They may be admitted to the hospital for several weeks. Their medication might be stopped or changed.
Participants will have many tests:
Blood and urine tests
EEG: Wires attached to the head with paste record brain waves. This may be videotaped.
Thinking and memory tests
MRI: Participants lie on a table that slides in and out of a tube. They perform simple tasks in the tube.
MEG: Participants lie on a table and place their head in a helmet to record brain waves.
PET scan: Participants lie on a table that slides into a machine. A small amount of radioactive dye is injected into their arm with an IV. For the IV, a small tube is inserted into the arm with a needle.
Participants will stay enrolled in this study if they join other epilepsy-related studies. They may be contacted at intervals for follow-up. Their participation will end if they have not been seen clinically for their epilepsy for 3 years.
Exclusion: Patients with unstable medical conditions that, in the opinion of the investigators, makes participation unsafe, or who, in the opinion of the investigators may be unable to comply with the protocol; Patients who are unable to travel to the NIH.
INCLUSION CRITERIA:; Age 8 years or older; Known or suspected diagnosis of epilepsy; Ability to give informed consent or have a legally authorized representative able to give consent (for adults without consent capacity) or parent/guardian able to provide informed consent (for a child); If unable to give informed consent, ability to give verbal assent.