Epilepsy Clinical Trials in Boston, MA

We propose to study approach/avoidance behavior as measured by the Approach Avoidance task in 20 epilepsy patients undergoing implementation of depth electrodes for seizure monitoring in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at MGH. We will also study the effects of VC/VS electrical stimulation on approach-avoidance conflict in 20 adult patients who have undergone DBS implantation for severe MDD and/or OCD. There are 100-200 patients in the world with DBS electrodes in the VC/VS, and our research team cares for more than any other institution. Both participant groups will be assessed with respect to reward-aversion decision conflict using the task. The task will be performed with concurrent EEG recordings in DBS patients, and with continuous recording through our invasive neurophysiology rig in EMU subjects. Read Less

The 24/7 EEG™ SubQ system will be compared to simultaneously recorded video-EEG in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (gold standard) and to self-reported seizure log books throughout 12 weeks of outpatient EEG recording. The present study is a 12-week open-label, prospective study with a paired, comparative design for pivotal evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of the 24/7 EEGTM SubQ system in subjects with temporal lobe epilepsy. 2-5 sites in Europe Up to 5 sites in US, or up to 10 sites if approval granted. Read Less

Open-loop electrical stimulation has been found to reduce spike activity and seizures, but determining the optimal parameters to achieve these effects requires a brute force trial-and-error approach that relies on subjective physician discretion. We will compare the performance of stimulation parameters identified in rodent models to the recommended parameters for neuromodulation used in clinical practice. Read Less

The aim of the proposed pilot study is to investigate patient tolerability and efficacy of moderate term, repeated exposure of Pulsed Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (PLIFUS) in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Read Less

Overall, this observational cohort study aims too: Implement rapid trio WGS for all children presenting to our health systems with epilepsy onset under 12 months of age. Utilize electronic healthcare records and research databases to unite phenotypic and genomic data and to create a "virtual" registry across all institutions that will promote ongoing discovery. Assess the impact of early genetic diagnosis on epilepsy, developmental, and health economic outcomes through formal longitudinal assessments of all children enrolled. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to identify genes responsible for epilepsy, brain malformations and disorders of human cognition. Read Less

This trial is a Phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled multi-site study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of early sirolimus to prevent or delay seizure onset in TSC infants. This study is supported by research funding from the Office of Orphan Products Division (OOPD) of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Read Less

Study the mechanisms underlying action recognition and execution Read Less

The purpose of this study is to obtain preliminary data in advance of a larger clinical trial aimed to test whether a single session of green light exposure can lead to a clinically significant reduction in epileptic spikes in patients with medically-refractory epilepsy. As this is a potentially fragile patient population, the study will test safety and tolerability as well as efficacy. Read Less