Volatile Non-Invasive Biomarkers of Epileptic Seizures

Breath and sweat samples will be collected from people who have been admitted to hospital after a potential seizure and analysed by the team. The researchers then hope to identify a pattern of small molecules that can distinguish seizures from other events, and perhaps determine the severity of the seizure.

Recruiting

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Key information

Conditions

Epilepsy Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Non-Epileptic Seizure Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Seizures Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, London, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom

About this study

Determining whether someone has had an epileptic seizure, or another event, can be challenging and result in the wrong diagnosis. A 'seizure test' used after the event would therefore be very helpful.

Researchers have used small molecules released from the body in breath and sweat to detect cancers and other diseases; this study will determine whether a similar method can be used to detect whether someone has had an epileptic seizure.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Patients who have been admitted to either University College London's Queen's Square EEG-telemetry unit or Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, for diagnosis of seizure events.
Patients aged 18 years or above

Exclusion criteria

Patients with active infection or who have taken antibiotics within 4 weeks
Patients on immunosuppressive medications
Patients with co-morbidities preventing breath collection
Patients unable to provide informed consent.

Treatment and study plan

Sample collection

Other

Patients will have breath samples collected by blowing into a bag, and sweat samples collected by gauze. These samples will be collected at various timepoints whilst the patients are admitted on the ward.

Primary outcomes

Distinguishing epileptic from non-epileptic seizures

Time frame: 3 years

To distinguish epileptic from non-epileptic seizures with the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath and sebum samples.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Eleonora Lugara, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

02031089108

Grace Luff, MSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University College London Hospitals

Other

Collaborators

Imperial College London

Registry information

Acronym: VIBES

Important dates

Study start: 2023
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Feb 13, 2023
Registry last updated: Dec 6, 2024

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.

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Completed