Clinical trials
Refractory Epilepsy clinical trials
Below are recruiting refractory epilepsy clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 33 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT05019885RecruitingPhase 2
IV ketamine for hard-to-treat epilepsy in adults
This Phase 2 study tests whether a low dose of IV ketamine can reduce seizures in adults with drug-resistant epilepsy. It may help people whose seizures continue despite trying at least two appropriate seizure medicines.
New York, New YorkAges 18 years+ - NCT05493722RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Adjusting deep brain stimulator settings for hard-to-control seizures
This early-phase study tests whether changing your deep brain stimulator settings can improve seizure control in people whose epilepsy is not helped by usual treatments. It is mainly for patients who already have the stimulator placed.
Minneapolis, MinnesotaAges 18 years+ - NCT06304389Recruiting
Blue light therapy for epilepsy with vagus nerve stimulation
This trial tests if blue light exposure can improve the effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in people with epilepsy that is hard to control. It also includes some healthy volunteers for comparison. The goal is to find new ways to make VNS work better.
Woluwe-Saint-LambertAges 18–60 - NCT07064421Recruiting
Brain wave test for kids with hard-to-control seizures
This trial uses a special brain scan (magnetoencephalography) to look at brain activity in children whose seizures don't improve with medication. It may help doctors decide if surgery could be an option.
Guangzhou, GuangdongAges 3–18 - NCT07680842Recruiting
Non-invasive ultrasound for drug-resistant epilepsy
This study tests a non-invasive focused ultrasound treatment for people with epilepsy that doesn't respond to medications. The goal is to see if this gentle ultrasound can reduce seizures without surgery.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 21–65 - NCT07580183Recruiting
Memory and Brain Function in Epilepsy Surgery
This study examines how the brain recognizes spatial scenes (like rooms or landscapes) in people with epilepsy who may have surgery. Researchers want to understand memory patterns before and after surgery to help predict outcomes.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18–55 - NCT07668856RecruitingPhase 3
CBD for children with hard-to-treat epilepsy
This trial tests if adding cannabidiol (CBD) to your child's current seizure medicines can reduce seizures. It uses a personalized approach to see if CBD works for each child.
Utrecht, UtrechtAges 1–18 - NCT07378397Enrolling by invitation
MEG brain mapping for epilepsy surgery in children
This study uses a safe brain scan (MEG) to help doctors plan epilepsy surgery for children. It aims to make surgery safer and more precise by mapping key brain areas beforehand.
Birmingham, United KingdomAges 6–15 - NCT07219407RecruitingPhase 2
Long-term safety study of RAP-219 for focal seizures
This study tests the long-term safety and effectiveness of RAP-219, an investigative medication for focal epilepsy. It is for people who already completed an earlier study of RAP-219, have a type of epilepsy that doesn't respond to standard medicines, and use a surgically implanted brain device (RNS system) to help manage seizures.
Boise, IdahoAges 18–70 - NCT07716930Enrolling by invitation
Eye scan study for drug-resistant epilepsy
This study uses a special eye scan (OCT) to look for changes in the retina that might be linked to hard-to-control epilepsy. The goal is to find new biomarkers that could help doctors better understand and manage the condition.
IstanbulAges 18–40 - NCT07353918Enrolling by invitation
Focused ultrasound for epilepsy treatment
This study tests if low-intensity focused ultrasound can calm overactive brain areas in people with epilepsy. It may offer a new way to reduce seizures without surgery or strong medications.
Roanoke, VirginiaAges 18–85 - NCT06292494Recruiting
Focused ultrasound for drug-resistant epilepsy
This trial tests whether focused ultrasound can help people whose seizures are not controlled by two or more medications. You would have a noninvasive procedure while awake, pressing a stop button if needed, and your hair will be partially shaved.
TaipeiAges 18 years+ - NCT06241963Recruiting
Brain stimulation for hard-to-treat epilepsy
This study tests a new type of gentle brain stimulation (HD-tDCS) to see if it can reduce seizures in people with epilepsy that does not get better with standard medicines. The treatment uses a small device to send a weak electrical current to specific areas of the brain.
Hefei, AnhuiAges 18–50 - NCT06425029Recruiting
Music app therapy for hard-to-control epilepsy with RNS
This study is testing a music-based app that you can use at home to help treat seizures. It is for adults with focal epilepsy who already have an RNS device and whose seizures are not controlled by medication.
Worcester, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT07110337Recruiting
Diagnosing epilepsy to help guide treatment
This trial tests a new device to help diagnose epilepsy in people whose previous EEG brain monitoring did not give clear answers. If you have drug-resistant epilepsy with at least one seizure a month on average, this study may help find better treatment options.
Phoenix, ArizonaAges 18–75 - NCT06105645Recruiting
Brain wave study for hard-to-treat epilepsy surgery
This study looks at special brain wave patterns called "fast-ripples" to help doctors better plan surgery for epilepsy that doesn't get better with medicine. It may improve how surgeons decide where to operate.
AmiensAges 18–65 - NCT07095933RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Everolimus for hard-to-control focal epilepsy
This study tests whether the medicine everolimus (taken as a pill) can safely reduce seizures in adults with focal epilepsy that hasn't been controlled by other treatments. You would continue your current seizure medicines and add everolimus.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–60 - NCT03644732Recruiting
Study of brain activity during epilepsy testing using SEEG
This study maps how thinking and memory work by recording brain signals during a presurgical epilepsy workup. It may help doctors better understand drug-resistant focal epilepsy and improve how they plan treatment.
GrenobleAges 18–65 - NCT06719791RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Sirolimus for hard-to-treat focal epilepsy
This trial tests if the drug sirolimus can help people with focal seizures (starting in one part of the brain) that don't improve with at least two other medications. It aims to reduce seizure frequency in adults aged 18 to 60.
BeijingAges 18–60 - NCT07110454Recruiting
Long-term follow-up study for epilepsy monitoring implant
This study follows people who previously enrolled in the DETECT study and had a Minder device implanted to monitor brain activity. The goal is to see how the device performs over a longer period of time.
Phoenix, ArizonaAges 18–75 - NCT07012148Recruiting
Seizure forecasting with EEG and wearables for epilepsy
This study tests a wearable device that records brain waves to help predict and track seizures in people with temporal lobe epilepsy. It may help you better understand your seizure patterns and reduce uncertainty.
Rochester, MinnesotaAges 18–75 - NCT03738072Recruiting
Test of brain electrical stimulation to plan epilepsy surgery
This study looks at how using a mild electrical stimulation in the brain may help doctors plan surgery for people with drug-resistant focal (partial) epilepsy. It happens during a hospital procedure to map the seizure areas (SEEG), so it may help improve where surgery targets.
ToulouseAges 12–65 - NCT06212609Recruiting
Personalized brain stimulation for kids with hard-to-control epilepsy
This trial tests a personalized brain stimulation method (transcranial electrical stimulation) to reduce seizures in children with hard-to-control partial epilepsy. It aims to find the best stimulation spot and settings for each patient by using advanced brain scans.
AmiensAges 1–18 - NCT06132893RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Testing BHV-7000 for hard-to-control focal seizures in adults
This study tests a new medicine called BHV-7000 for adults whose focal seizures (starting in one part of the brain) are not controlled by current treatments. The goal is to see if it can reduce seizures safely.
Phoenix, ArizonaAges 18–75
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for refractory epilepsy?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 33 recruiting refractory epilepsy studies from the U.S. registry, each rewritten for real people, not researchers, so you can see what it’s testing and who it’s for.
- How do I know if I qualify for a refractory epilepsy trial?
- Each study lists its eligibility criteria — rules about age, diagnosis, and prior treatments. On every Clin2 trial page we explain these in words written for real people and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Does it cost anything to join a refractory epilepsy trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what’s covered before you decide.
Related conditions
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.