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Focal EpilepsyNCT01772654

Arterial Spin Labeling MRI Focal Abnormalities in Refractory Epilepsy

A study testing Arterial Spin Labeled (ASL) MRI sequence in people with Focal Epilepsy, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study will evaluate a type of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequence called arterial spin labeling (ASL). The investigators hope that ASL can better localize areas of the brain (lesions) that cause epilepsy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Focal Epilepsy
What is being tested?
Arterial Spin Labeled (ASL) MRI sequence
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
73 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Jan 2013to Nov 2013
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

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

  • Medically refractory partial epilepsy.
  • Over the age of 18 years.
  • Scheduled to have routine epilepsy-protocol MRI after initial evaluation in neurology clinic at Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
  • Anticipated to undergo epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) monitoring.

Who cannot join

  • Patients with a generalized epilepsy.
  • Under the age of 18 years.
  • Unable to undergo MRI imaging of the brain.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Mayo Clinic

    Rochester, Minnesota, 55905

Other trials in United States

About this study

This study will evaluate a type of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequence called arterial spin labeling (ASL). The investigators hope that ASL can better localize areas of the brain (lesions) that cause epilepsy. This type of MRI does not require contrast, does not use any radiation, and adds on 4 minutes to the routine MRI that is done for patients with epilepsy.

The study hypothesis is that in patients with refractory epilepsy, Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI will show areas of abnormality in the brain to the same degree as single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) studies.

Read the detailed description

Currently, in presurgical evaluation of epilepsy patients, PET and SPECT studies are utilized to evaluate metabolic and perfusion abnormalities respectively to localize seizure onset. This is especially true in "MRI negative" patients, whose lesion is not visible on standard MRI techniques. PET and SPECT studies have numerous disadvantages, including radiation exposure, injection of contrast or isotopes, cost, and are often difficult to access for many patients.

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI sequences show perfusion related abnormalities without using contrast, in a relatively short amount of time, and can be done during a normal MRI for evaluation of epilepsy. This is of interest because if there is a good correlation, ASL MRI sequences could be used in addition, or in place of, these other studies that require injection of isotopes and radiation from CT scans.

ASL sequences have been shown to localize certain epileptogenic abnormalities such as tubers in tuberous sclerosis. A previous study demonstrated ASL changes inter- and post-ictally in one patient without other MRI changes. This is a promising technique that has not been fully evaluated as of yet. Of note, all studies done in this area in regards to epilepsy have been retrospective, small studies. The investigators plan to perform a study that is prospective, with a comparatively large sample of patients.

Study Design: Consultants in the epilepsy clinic will identify potential subjects on the patients' initial evaluation. Just after the consultation is finished, in the epilepsy clinic, the study will be described to the patient along with risks and benefits, and informed consent will be obtained by one of the researchers or research personnel in the clinic. If the patient agrees with the study, the MRI department will be notified of the patient's participation. At that time, the patient's already scheduled MRI will have the addition of ASL sequences. This will add approximately 4 minutes to the MRI. The patient will then have other imaging investigations as deemed necessary by the treating consultant. This may include PET and SPECT. If the patient is admitted to the EMU, ictal and interictal SPECT are likely to be done. After the patient has had the full evaluation, we will compare the ASL MRI sequences to the basic MRI, and PET and SPECT if performed.

We will also use software already developed to determine the quantitative blood flow to the abnormalities found on the ASL sequences.

Conditions
Focal Epilepsy
Being tested
Arterial Spin Labeled (ASL) MRI sequence
Keywords
Epilepsy, Arterial Spin Labeled MRI, Brain lesions, Cerebral blood flow
Medical subject headings
Epilepsies, Partial, Epilepsy

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Arterial Spin Labeled (ASL) MRI sequenceDevice

    The Arterial Spin Labeled (ASL) MRI sequence is an MRI technique in which arterial blood undergoes spatially selective inversion to label the arterial blood.

    This is a magnetic technique and does not require contrast. The tagged blood is imaged and areas of hypoperfusion or hyperperfusion are revealed on the MRI sequence.

Study groups in NCT01772654
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Left Temporal Lobe Epilepsy SubjectsExperimentalArterial Spin Labeled (ASL) MRI sequence
Receives: Device: Arterial Spin Labeled (ASL) MRI sequence
Control SubjectsActive comparatorArterial Spin Labeled (ASL) MRI sequence
Receives: Device: Arterial Spin Labeled (ASL) MRI sequence

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Intensity of the MRI Signal in the Left Temporal Precentral Zone

    Subjects who were already scheduled to have a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedure as part of an evaluation for epilepsy had an additional sequence added during the MRI. The additional MRI sequence was called Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL), and consisted of 4 minutes additional time in the MRI scanner. The ASL sequence did not use any contrast or radiation. The ASL sequence is a blood flow measure, and compared the intensity of the MRI signal in patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy to the intensity of the MRI signal in patients with normal brains. Intensity of MRI signal is measured on the MRI image slices in different anatomic regions as an optical density (dark to bright). It is then referenced to a region of the brain that is considered stable standard as a ratio.

    Measured: Approximately in the middle of the MRI procedure

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 Jan 2013 (estimated)
  2. Study startJan 2013
  3. Primary completionNov 2013
  4. Study completionNov 2013

Resources

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 N/A
Primary purpose
Diagnosis
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
73 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01772654
Sponsor's protocol ID
12-006882
Status last verified
Mar 2015
First submitted
17 Jan 2013
Last updated
6 Mar 2015
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Pendse N, Wissmeyer M, Altrichter S, Vargas M, Delavelle J, Viallon M, Federspiel A, Seeck M, Schaller K, Lovblad KO. Interictal arterial spin-labeling MRI perfusion in intractable epilepsy. J Neuroradiol. 2010 Mar;37(1):60-3. doi: 10.1016/j.neurad.2009.05.006. Epub 2009 Aug 11.

    PubMed 19674791

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Arterial Spin Labeled (ASL) MRI sequence in people with Focal Epilepsy, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.

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 4 inclusion and 3 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 6 Mar 2015. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

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.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 6 Mar 2015). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

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?

Intensity of the MRI Signal in the Left Temporal Precentral Zone (time frame: Approximately in the middle of the MRI procedure). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01772654, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 6 Mar 2015.

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