Testing for brain-targeting antibodies in new seizures of unknown cause
Studies people with new focal seizures of unknown cause to find brain-targeting antibodies.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Neural Autoantibody Prevalence in New-onset Focal Seizures of Unknown Etiology
Key facts
- Where
- Hangzhou, ChinaSee 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 14 and 100 years old?
Source: NCT06388161, who can take part
Where in China
- 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, ChinaHangzhou, ChinaTaking 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
- Shen Chun-Hong
- Trial code
- NCT06388161
- Record updated
- 27 August 2025
- Original description
Seizure is one of the most common symptoms in autoimmune encephalitis with neuronal surface-mediated antibodies. Interestingly, some patients may exhibit new-onset seizures as the initial manifestation without fulminant sign of encephalitis, particularly in the early stage.Read full original descriptionShow less
Neural Autoantibody Prevalence in Patients With New-onset Focal Seizures of Unknown Etiology and a Predictive Scoring Scale
Seizure is one of the most common symptoms in autoimmune encephalitis with neuronal surface-mediated antibodies. Interestingly, some patients may exhibit new-onset seizures as the initial manifestation without fulminant sign of encephalitis, particularly in the early stage.
It is essential to recognize these patients early and to perform antibody testing, as studies have reported early immunotherapy can improve their clinical outcomes. At the same time, it is important to limit the number of patients who require testing, for the sake of specificity and cost effectiveness. Thus, this prospective, multicenter study aims to identify neural antibodies in patients with focal seizures of unknown etiology, and to create a score to preselect patients requiring autoantibody testing.
Inclusion: Patients have a diagnosis of new-onset focal epileptic seizure or epilepsy and present with their first seizure within the previous 12 months; Patients are prospectively recruited from the routine practice of epileptologists in epilepsy centers and epilepsy clinics; There is no obvious suspicion of autoimmune encephalitis; Written informed consent and sera are obtained; Cerebrospinal fluid test must be conducted, when patients have detectable serum autoantibodies.
Exclusion: Patients have other etiology of seizures, such as structure, infection, genetics and metabolism; Written informed consent are not obtained; Loss of follow-up.