EpilepsyPhase 3NCT00299533
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Adjunctive Treatment of Refractory Epilepsy
A Phase 3 study of Epilepsy, run by Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Trial summary
We are studying whether the addition of fish oil capsules, containing 2.2 gm of polyunsaturated fatty acids, when added to antiepileptic drugs improve seizure control. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Epilepsy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Feb 2004to Sep 2006
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Eligible subjects must have at least one seizure or seizure cluster per week, or at least four per month. They may have partial or generalized epilepsy as diagnosed by a board certified neurologist with subspecialty training in epilepsy. Subjects must be at least 18 years of age, and able to give signed informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Potential subjects will be considered ineligible for the study if they exhibit frequent vomiting, inability to swallow, an allergy to fatty acids, or a medical condition that could interfere with oral medication intake. Subjects with markedly elevated cholesterol levels (>260) or who receive drugs that affect lipid metabolism, such as HMG CoA inhibitors, will be excluded as well. Due to the theoretical possibility of platelet dysfunction, subjects taking Coumadin® or high doses of aspirin (>325mg daily) will not be considered eligible for the study. Subjects who are pregnant or nursing will also be excluded due to any possible teratogenic effects on the fetus.
About this study
Official title: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Prospective Study Evaluating the Usefulness of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) in Patients Wtih Uncontrolled Epilepsy
We are studying whether the addition of fish oil capsules, containing 2.2 gm of polyunsaturated fatty acids, when added to antiepileptic drugs improve seizure control.
Read the detailed description
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Treatment of Refractory Epilepsy
ABSTRACT
Objective: The primary objective of the study is to determine whether polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can be used safely and effectively as a treatment for epilepsy.
Background: Patients with intractable epilepsy are often on more than one medication and experience intolerable side effects. Fatty acids have been shown to be protective against seizures in animal models, but there is little human data. Recently, however, a small case series of patients with intractable epilepsy provided evidence of an anti-seizure effect without major side effects. There are no controlled trials of PUFA in humans.
Design/Methods: Patients with uncontrolled partial or generalized epilepsy characterized by at least 4 seizures/month will be randomized to placebo vs. PUFA in a double-blind fashion. Subjects will remain on their current drug(s) while a 4-week baseline seizure count occurs. Dosage will then be titrated over 1 week to 1.1 grams twice daily, and will be followed by a 15-week treatment phase with monthly visits, seizure counts, pill counts, AED levels, adverse event reporting, and neurological examinations. Quality of life will be measured before and after the study using the SF-36 and the QOLIE (Quality of Life in Epilepsy) -31. If subjects wish to continue treatment, they will be given the opportunity at the end of the 20-week period, and those randomized to placebo will have the opportunity to begin treatment with PUFA.
Analysis: The number of subjects achieving a 50% reduction in seizure frequency during the 15-week treatment period relative to the 4-week prospective baseline will be compared for treated vs. control groups using Fisher's exact test. Secondary endpoints will include percent seizure reduction, which will be analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test, and quality of life data, as measured by the SF-36 and QOLIE 31.
Conclusion: There is sufficient preliminary data to suggest that PUFA can be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for epilepsy. If efficacy, safety, and tolerability of PUFA are confirmed, the proposed study will provide the foundation for a larger multi-center trial.
- Conditions
- Epilepsy
- Being tested
- Fish oil (Super Omega-3, 4 caps/d) vs. placebo
- Medical subject headings
- Epilepsy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Fish oil (Super Omega-3, 4 caps/d) vs. placeboDrug
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
% of subjects with 50% decrease in seizure frequency
Secondary outcomes (1)
% seizure reduction
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Mar 2006 (estimated)
- Study startFeb 2004
- Study completionSep 2006
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for EpilepsyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Brigham and Women's HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Enrolment
- 40 participants
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- CURE Foundation
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Edward B Bromfield, M.D., Principal investigator, Brigham and Women's Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00299533
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2003-P-000025/14
- Status last verified
- Aug 2013
- First submitted
- 3 Mar 2006
- Last updated
- 16 Aug 2013
- Results posted
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Aug 2013. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Prospective Study Evaluating the Usefulness of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) in Patients Wtih Uncontrolled Epilepsy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00299533
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2003-P-000025/14
- Conditions
- Epilepsy
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants
- Lead sponsor
- Brigham and Women's HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- CURE Foundation
- Study start
- Feb 2004
- Study completion
- Sep 2006 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Mar 2006 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
We are studying whether the addition of fish oil capsules, containing 2.2 gm of polyunsaturated fatty acids, when added to antiepileptic drugs improve seizure control.
Detailed description
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Treatment of Refractory Epilepsy
ABSTRACT
Objective: The primary objective of the study is to determine whether polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can be used safely and effectively as a treatment for epilepsy.
Background: Patients with intractable epilepsy are often on more than one medication and experience intolerable side effects. Fatty acids have been shown to be protective against seizures in animal models, but there is little human data. Recently, however, a small case series of patients with intractable epilepsy provided evidence of an anti-seizure effect without major side effects. There are no controlled trials of PUFA in humans.
Design/Methods: Patients with uncontrolled partial or generalized epilepsy characterized by at least 4 seizures/month will be randomized to placebo vs. PUFA in a double-blind fashion. Subjects will remain on their current drug(s) while a 4-week baseline seizure count occurs. Dosage will then be titrated over 1 week to 1.1 grams twice daily, and will be followed by a 15-week treatment phase with monthly visits, seizure counts, pill counts, AED levels, adverse event reporting, and neurological examinations. Quality of life will be measured before and after the study using the SF-36 and the QOLIE (Quality of Life in Epilepsy) -31. If subjects wish to continue treatment, they will be given the opportunity at the end of the 20-week period, and those randomized to placebo will have the opportunity to begin treatment with PUFA.
Analysis: The number of subjects achieving a 50% reduction in seizure frequency during the 15-week treatment period relative to the 4-week prospective baseline will be compared for treated vs. control groups using Fisher's exact test. Secondary endpoints will include percent seizure reduction, which will be analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test, and quality of life data, as measured by the SF-36 and QOLIE 31.
Conclusion: There is sufficient preliminary data to suggest that PUFA can be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for epilepsy. If efficacy, safety, and tolerability of PUFA are confirmed, the proposed study will provide the foundation for a larger multi-center trial.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Eligible subjects must have at least one seizure or seizure cluster per week, or at least four per month. They may have partial or generalized epilepsy as diagnosed by a board certified neurologist with subspecialty training in epilepsy. Subjects must be at least 18 years of age, and able to give signed informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Potential subjects will be considered ineligible for the study if they exhibit frequent vomiting, inability to swallow, an allergy to fatty acids, or a medical condition that could interfere with oral medication intake. Subjects with markedly elevated cholesterol levels (>260) or who receive drugs that affect lipid metabolism, such as HMG CoA inhibitors, will be excluded as well. Due to the theoretical possibility of platelet dysfunction, subjects taking Coumadin® or high doses of aspirin (>325mg daily) will not be considered eligible for the study. Subjects who are pregnant or nursing will also be excluded due to any possible teratogenic effects on the fetus.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Fish oil (Super Omega-3, 4 caps/d) vs. placebo | Drug | – |
Primary outcome
% of subjects with 50% decrease in seizure frequency
1 secondary outcome
% seizure reduction
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Aug 2013.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Edward B Bromfield, M.D. principal investigator
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 3 study of Epilepsy, run by Brigham and Women's Hospital.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Aug 2013. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
% of subjects with 50% decrease in seizure frequency. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Aug 2013.