Predicting vagus nerve stimulation success in drug-resistant epilepsy
Part of Brain & nervous system clinical trials.
This study looks at whether a brain wave test can help predict how well vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) will work for people with epilepsy that hasn't been controlled by medication. VNS is a treatment that uses a device to send mild electrical signals to the brain to reduce seizures.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You are 18 years or older.
- You have epilepsy that hasn't improved after trying at least two appropriate anti-seizure medications.
- You and your doctor have already decided that VNS therapy is a good option for you.
- You are willing to have a 20-minute EEG (brain wave recording) done, which includes flashing lights, deep breathing, and opening and closing your eyes.
- You (or a family member or caregiver) can keep track of your seizures for at least 3 months before the VNS device is implanted, or you can report your seizure frequency reliably in other ways.
- If you have very frequent seizures (several per day), you can just record the days when you have no seizures.
- You are not planning to have brain surgery to remove the seizure focus, or you have clearly decided against it.
- You do not have seizures that are not caused by epilepsy (psychogenic or other conditions) that are hard to tell apart from epileptic seizures.
- You do not have a medical condition that could make seizures more frequent, and you are expected to live at least 2 more years.
- You can attend regular visits for VNS programming and the study.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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