NCT07253701Recruiting
EPIGUT: EPILEPSY AND GASTROINTESTINAL MICROBIOTA: UNDERSTANDING THERAPY RESPONSE
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 28 Nov 2025
Brief summary (registry, in English)
The goal of this observational study is to learn how the bacteria in the gut and mouth (called the microbiota) are linked to different types of epilepsy and how they may affect how well seizure medicines work. Researchers want to answer two main questions: Are certain types of epilepsy linked to changes in the gut or mouth microbiota? Do the bacteria in the gut change how seizure medicines work for each person? Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes seizures. Even though there are many medicines for epilepsy, some people still have seizures or side effects. Studies in animals show that gut bacteria can raise or lower the chance of seizures. Smaller studies in people suggest the same thing, but they have been limited in size and scope. In this study, researchers will collect biological samples from people who have newly diagnosed epilepsy and from people without epilepsy (called healthy controls). The samples will be tested to learn which bacteria are present. The researchers will then look for patterns that may explain which types of epilepsy are linked to changes in the microbiota. The study will also look at whether the bacteria in the gut and mouth affect how well anti-seizure medicines (ASMs) work. For example, the researchers will explore if certain bacteria make medicines work better or worse. Patients will provide blood, stool and saliva samples. If collected for medical reasons, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) - the clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord -will also be used. Healthy controls will provide stool and saliva samples only All participants will be asked to fill an online questionnaire to share health and lifestyle information. Patients also allow researchers to confidentially access data from medical records related to diagnosis and treatment. By comparing data from many participants across Sweden, researchers hope to understand how gut and mouth bacteria influence epilepsy and seizure control. This research may help doctors in the future to use a person's microbiota profile to choose the best seizure medicine. The long-term goal is to improve seizure control, reduce side effects, and raise the quality of life for people living with epilepsy.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Observational
- Enrollment
- 1500 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 19 Nov 2025
- Start date
- 27 Feb 2024
- Primary completion date
- Mar 2028
- Lead sponsor
- Karolinska Institutet
- Diseases
- Epilepsy
- NCT number
- NCT07253701
What you commit to
- Study type: Observational
- Planned participants: 1500
- From 27 Feb 2024 to the primary completion date, Mar 2028
- 6 sites in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Controls: previous epilepsy diagnosis or ASM treatment, has used antibiotics or probiotics in the last three months, has a gastrointestinal diagnosis, has surgically removed parts of the GIT, obesity (BMI\>30), T2D, follows a strict exclusion diet, is pregnant or breastfeeding, has a gastrostomy, PEG or jejunostomy
Other
- Patients: already started ASM treatment (more then one dose), has used antibiotics or probiotics in the last three months, has a gastrointestinal diagnosis, has surgically removed parts of the GIT, obesity (BMI\>30), T2D, follows a strict exclusion diet, is pregnant or breastfeeding, has a gastrostomy, PEG or jejunostomy
Who the study is looking for
- Patients: Age 2-79 years, newly diagnosed with epilepsy, treatment-naive at time of enrollment
- Controls: Age 2-79 years
Age in the registry: 2 years to 79 years · Sex: All · Accepts healthy volunteers
Sites (6)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drottning Silvias Barnsjukhus Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Gothenburg | Sweden | Recruiting |
| Universitetssjukhuset i Linkoping Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Linköping | Sweden | Recruiting |
| Skanes universitetssjukhus Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Lund | Sweden | Recruiting |
| Karolinska Universitetssjukhus Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Stockholm | Sweden | Recruiting |
| Norrlands universitetssjukhus Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Umeå | Sweden | Recruiting |
| Akademiska sjukhuset Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Uppsala | Sweden | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.