Metabolic Abnormalities in Children With Epilepsy

This study is designed to use positron emission tomography to measure brain energy use. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a technique used to investigate the functional activity of the brain. The PET technique allows doctors to study the normal processes of the brain (central nervous system) of normal individuals and patients with neurologic illnesses without physical / structural damage to the brain.

When a region of the brain is active, it uses more fuel in the form of oxygen and sugar (glucose). As the brain uses more fuel it produces more waste products, carbon dioxide and water. Blood carries fuel to the brain and waste products away from the brain. As brain activity increases blood flow to and from the area of activity increases also.

Researchers can label a sugar with a small radioactive molecule called FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose). As areas of the brain use more sugar the PET scan will detect the FDG and show the areas of the brain that are active. By using this technique researchers hope to answer the following questions;

4. Are changes in brain energy use (metabolism) present early in the course of epilepsy

5. Do changes in brain metabolism match the severity of patient's seizures

6. Do changes in metabolism occur over time or in response to drug therapy

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Key information

Conditions

Generalized Epilepsy Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Epilepsies, Partial Epilepsy Epilepsy, Generalized Epileptic Syndromes Genetic Diseases, Inborn Infantile Spasms Lennox Gastaut Syndrome Metabolic Disease Metabolic Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Partial Epilepsy Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Seizures Signs and Symptoms Spasms, Infantile

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

About this study

We propose to study children with recent onset partial epilepsy, cryptogenic infantile spasms, and idiopathic Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome with serial FDG-PET to elucidate the natural history and evolution of metabolic abnormalities associated with such epilepsies. The severity of the seizure disorder, and cognitive impairment, when present, will be correlated with the presence and extent of focal and global cerebral metabolic abnormalities.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patients with partial seizures, infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome will be selected.

Exclusion criteria

Evidence of a structural lesion as cause for epilepsy.

Degenerative or metabolic disease.

Inability to comply with the protocol.

Treatment and study plan

18 FDG

Drug

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Nih

Registry information

Official study title

Natural History of Metabolic Abnormalities in Children With Epilepsy

Important dates

Study start: 1992
Study completion: 2004
First posted: Nov 4, 1999
Registry last updated: Mar 4, 2008

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed