Deep Brain Stimulation vs. Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Epileptic Spasms

NCT ID: NCT07010276

Last Updated: 2025-06-12

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

20 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-11-24

Study Completion Date

2027-12-31

Brief Summary

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Deep Brain Stimulation vs. Vagus Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy and Epileptic Spasms in Children: A Randomized Control Trial

Detailed Description

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To directly compare the effectiveness and safety of deep brain stimulation (DBS) vs. vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) or epileptic spasms.

This will be an open, non-blinded randomized control trial. Twenty (20) patients will be recruited and enrolled in this pilot study from SickKids.

Expected study duration is 36-48 months.

Conditions

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Epilepsy; Seizure

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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VNS Treatment

Patients in the VNS treatment arm will undergo surgical VNS implantation.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

VNS arm

Intervention Type DEVICE

Patients in the VNS treatment arm will undergo surgical VNS implantation.

DBS Treatment

Patients in the DBS treatment arm will undergo surgical DBS implantation.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

DBS Arm

Intervention Type DEVICE

Patients in the DBS treatment arm will undergo surgical DBS implantation.

Interventions

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DBS Arm

Patients in the DBS treatment arm will undergo surgical DBS implantation.

Intervention Type DEVICE

VNS arm

Patients in the VNS treatment arm will undergo surgical VNS implantation.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Female or Male patients 5 years of age and over (17 and 11 months), not including 18 years old
* Diagnosis of drug-resistant epilepsy with failure after trial of two anti-epileptic
* Medications (as defined by Kwan et al. 20093). All children screened for entry into the study will be re-diagnosed by a neurologist prior to entry.
* Main seizure type includes epileptic spasms and tonic spasms, as confirmed by electroencephalography.
* Parents or legal guardians, including caregivers, are informed and able to give written consent.
* Ability to comply with all testing, follow-ups and study appointments and protocols for 12 months following the end of the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria

* Substance dependence or abuse in the last 6 months, excluding caffeine and nicotine
* Any contraindication to MRI scanning. A preoperative MRI scan is essential to
* Planning DBS and therefore any contraindication to MRI is a contraindication to enrollment in the study.
* Unwillingness or inability to return to SickKids for follow-up visits.
* Presence of cardiac arrhythmias, or other cardiac, respiratory, renal or endocrine conditions that will result in significant risk from a surgical procedure.
* Pregnancy
* Inability to communicate adequately in English in order to complete the baseline and follow-up questionnaires.
* A co-morbid condition that requires frequent MRI scanning as part of the patient's regular care.
Minimum Eligible Age

5 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

17 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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The Hospital for Sick Children

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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George Ibrahim

Staff Neurosurgeon

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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George M Ibrahim, MD, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

The Hospital for Sick Children

Locations

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The Hospital for Sick Children

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status

Countries

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Canada

Central Contacts

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George M Ibrahim, MD, PhD

Role: CONTACT

416-813-6125

Facility Contacts

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MyLoi Huynh

Role: primary

416-813-7654 ext. 309117

Fay Kisteroff

Role: backup

416-813-7654 ext. 309014

Other Identifiers

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1000080101

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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