EpilepsyNCT03857074
Effects of Green Light Exposure on Epileptic Spikes in Patients With Refractory Epilepsy
A study testing Green Light Exposure in people with Epilepsy and Epilepsy Intractable, run by Boston Children's Hospital at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to obtain preliminary data in advance of a larger clinical trial aimed to test whether a single session of green light exposure can lead to a clinically significant reduction in epileptic spikes in patients with medically-refractory epilepsy. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 6 months to 30 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Epilepsy, Epilepsy Intractable
- What is being tested?
- Green Light Exposure
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 22 Jul 2019to 1 Jun 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 6 months to 30 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- 6 months-30 years of age
- Epileptic spike frequency ≥1 epileptic spike per minute at baseline, as determined by scalp EEG recording
- Admitted to the Boston Children's Hospital Epilepsy Long Term Monitoring Unit at the time of enrollment
Who cannot join
- Cataracts
- Retinol disease
- Any history of or currently not well controlled ophthalmic disease that prevents transmission from the retina to the optic nerve
- Clinical seizure 4 hours or less before anticipated green light exposure
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Paul MacMullin contact
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02130
Paul MacMullin, Paul.MacMullin@childrens.harvard.edu
Alexander Rotenberg, MD, Ph D
About this study
The purpose of this study is to obtain preliminary data in advance of a larger clinical trial aimed to test whether a single session of green light exposure can lead to a clinically significant reduction in epileptic spikes in patients with medically-refractory epilepsy. As this is a potentially fragile patient population, the study will test safety and tolerability as well as efficacy.
Read the detailed description
The trial is designed to detect (1) change in spike frequency on EEG before and after exposure to low intensity green light, and (2) presence or absence of neurologic/systemic symptoms referable to exposure of the pre-selected duration, intensity, and band of green light.
Our primary aim is to determine whether prolonged exposure (120 minutes) to a narrow band of green light (520-540 nm) at low intensities (1-10 cd/m2) alters the pattern of electrical activity in the cortex of epilepsy patients.
The primary outcome measure for this aim will be the fraction of patients in which the number of epileptiform discharges (spikes or sharp waves) decrease, per recording, in response to green light exposure, as determined by spike frequency detected via scalp EEG before and after green light exposure.
The investigators anticipate that the primary outcome measures of safety and tolerability will not differ from the previously established measures of green light exposure for migraine (Noseda et al. 2016). The investigators will use only low intensities (1-10 cd/m2) of green light which is well tolerated in adults and children (Main et al. 2000). In addition, given limited experience with conventional green light exposure in epilepsy, the investigators predict that post-exposure to green light, patients will have an improvement on the post-exposure EEG (decreased spike frequency).
- Conditions
- Epilepsy, Epilepsy Intractable
- Being tested
- Green Light Exposure
- Keywords
- Refractory Epilepsy, Green Light Exposure, Epileptic Spikes
- Medical subject headings
- Epilepsy, Drug Resistant Epilepsy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Green Light ExposureDevice
To test whether exposure to a narrow band of green light (520-540 nm) at low intensities (1-10 cd/m2) decreases interictal epileptiform discharges in patients with epilepsy. The overall hypothesis for this open-label trial is based on findings in patients with migraine that indicate an engagement of thalamocortical inhibitory circuits by green light.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Open Label, Green Light Exposure | Experimental | This is a single-center, open label, pilot feasibility study. Patients with epilepsy will be exposed to a narrow band of green light at low intensities (1-10 cd/m2). The investigators will record 30 minutes of scalp EEG prior to the light exposure and 30 minutes of scalp EEG recording post-light exposure. The number of epileptic spikes per minute at baseline will be compared to epileptic spike count per minute post-treatment, to determine whether green light exposure effectively decreases the number of epileptic spikes, in patients with ≥1 epileptic spike per minute at baseline. Receives: Device: Green Light Exposure |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Effects of exposure to a narrow band of green light (520-540 nm) at low intensities (1-10 cd/m2) on the pattern of electrical activity in the cortex of epilepsy patients.
The primary outcome measure for this aim will be the fraction of patients in which the number of epileptiform discharges (spikes or sharp waves) decrease, per recording, in response to green light exposure, as determined by spike frequency detected via scalp EEG before and after green light exposure.
Measured: 120 minutes
Secondary outcomes (3)
To consider probable confounders, such as etiology and comorbidities, this information will be acquired with standardized NIH epilepsy data acquisition forms for (1):
Additional anticipated variable (1) patient demographics (age, gender, age of seizure onset, and epilepsy type), will be collected via a 'Demographics' Form.
Measured: 10 minutes
To consider probable confounders, such as etiology and comorbidities, this information will be acquired through routine clinical care documentation by the study MD for (2):
Additional anticipated variable (2) EEG monitoring findings: The study MD will review prior clinical EEG findings per participant.
Measured: 10 minutes
To consider probable confounders, such as etiology and comorbidities, this information will be acquired through routine clinical care documentation by the study MD for (3):
Additional anticipated variable (3) Imaging results: The study MD will review prior clinical imaging findings per participant.
Measured: 10 minutes
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Feb 2019
- Study start22 Jul 2019
- Primary completion31 Dec 2022 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jun 2023 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for EpilepsyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Boston Children'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 N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- This is a single-center, open label, pilot feasibility study.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Boston Children's Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Alexander Rotenberg, Boston Children's Hospital
- Investigators
- Alexander Rotenberg, MD, PhD, Principal investigator, Boston Children's HospitalPhillip Pearl, MD, Principal investigator, Boston Children's Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03857074
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-P00030191
- Status last verified
- Mar 2022
- First submitted
- 25 Feb 2019
- Last updated
- 9 Mar 2022
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Noseda R, Bernstein CA, Nir RR, Lee AJ, Fulton AB, Bertisch SM, Hovaguimian A, Cestari DM, Saavedra-Walker R, Borsook D, Doran BL, Buettner C, Burstein R. Migraine photophobia originating in cone-driven retinal pathways. Brain. 2016 Jul;139(Pt 7):1971-86. doi: 10.1093/brain/aww119. Epub 2016 May 17.
PubMed 27190022Noseda R, Kainz V, Jakubowski M, Gooley JJ, Saper CB, Digre K, Burstein R. A neural mechanism for exacerbation of headache by light. Nat Neurosci. 2010 Feb;13(2):239-45. doi: 10.1038/nn.2475. Epub 2010 Jan 10.
PubMed 20062053Noseda R, Lee AJ, Nir RR, Bernstein CA, Kainz VM, Bertisch SM, Buettner C, Borsook D, Burstein R. Neural mechanism for hypothalamic-mediated autonomic responses to light during migraine. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 Jul 11;114(28):E5683-E5692. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1708361114. Epub 2017 Jun 26.
PubMed 28652355
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Mar 2022. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Green Light Exposure on Epileptic Spikes in Patients With Refractory Epilepsy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03857074
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB-P00030191
- Conditions
- Epilepsy, Epilepsy Intractable
- Keywords
- Refractory Epilepsy, Green Light Exposure, Epileptic Spikes
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Boston Children's HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 22 Jul 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2022 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2023 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 Feb 2019 (actual)
- 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.
The purpose of this study is to obtain preliminary data in advance of a larger clinical trial aimed to test whether a single session of green light exposure can lead to a clinically significant reduction in epileptic spikes in patients with medically-refractory epilepsy. As this is a potentially fragile patient population, the study will test safety and tolerability as well as efficacy.
Detailed description
The trial is designed to detect (1) change in spike frequency on EEG before and after exposure to low intensity green light, and (2) presence or absence of neurologic/systemic symptoms referable to exposure of the pre-selected duration, intensity, and band of green light.
Our primary aim is to determine whether prolonged exposure (120 minutes) to a narrow band of green light (520-540 nm) at low intensities (1-10 cd/m2) alters the pattern of electrical activity in the cortex of epilepsy patients.
The primary outcome measure for this aim will be the fraction of patients in which the number of epileptiform discharges (spikes or sharp waves) decrease, per recording, in response to green light exposure, as determined by spike frequency detected via scalp EEG before and after green light exposure.
The investigators anticipate that the primary outcome measures of safety and tolerability will not differ from the previously established measures of green light exposure for migraine (Noseda et al. 2016). The investigators will use only low intensities (1-10 cd/m2) of green light which is well tolerated in adults and children (Main et al. 2000). In addition, given limited experience with conventional green light exposure in epilepsy, the investigators predict that post-exposure to green light, patients will have an improvement on the post-exposure EEG (decreased spike frequency).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- This is a single-center, open label, pilot feasibility study.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Open Label, Green Light Exposure | Experimental | Device: Green Light ExposureThis is a single-center, open label, pilot feasibility study. Patients with epilepsy will be exposed to a narrow band of green light at low intensities (1-10 cd/m2). The investigators will record 30 minutes of scalp EEG prior to the light exposure and 30 minutes of scalp EEG recording post-light exposure. The number of epileptic spikes per minute at baseline will be compared to epileptic spike count per minute post-treatment, to determine whether green light exposure effectively decreases the number of epileptic spikes, in patients with ≥1 epileptic spike per minute at baseline. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 6 months to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 6 months-30 years of age
- Epileptic spike frequency ≥1 epileptic spike per minute at baseline, as determined by scalp EEG recording
- Admitted to the Boston Children's Hospital Epilepsy Long Term Monitoring Unit at the time of enrollment
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Cataracts
- Retinol disease
- Any history of or currently not well controlled ophthalmic disease that prevents transmission from the retina to the optic nerve
- Clinical seizure 4 hours or less before anticipated green light exposure
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Green Light ExposureTo test whether exposure to a narrow band of green light (520-540 nm) at low intensities (1-10 cd/m2) decreases interictal epileptiform discharges in patients with epilepsy. The overall hypothesis for this open-label trial is based on findings in patients with migraine that indicate an engagement of thalamocortical inhibitory circuits by green light. | Device | Open Label, Green Light Exposure |
Primary outcome
Effects of exposure to a narrow band of green light (520-540 nm) at low intensities (1-10 cd/m2) on the pattern of electrical activity in the cortex of epilepsy patients.
Time frame: 120 minutes
The primary outcome measure for this aim will be the fraction of patients in which the number of epileptiform discharges (spikes or sharp waves) decrease, per recording, in response to green light exposure, as determined by spike frequency detected via scalp EEG before and after green light exposure.
3 secondary outcomes
To consider probable confounders, such as etiology and comorbidities, this information will be acquired with standardized NIH epilepsy data acquisition forms for (1):
Time frame: 10 minutes
To consider probable confounders, such as etiology and comorbidities, this information will be acquired through routine clinical care documentation by the study MD for (2):
Time frame: 10 minutes
To consider probable confounders, such as etiology and comorbidities, this information will be acquired through routine clinical care documentation by the study MD for (3):
Time frame: 10 minutes
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Mar 2022.
- Background: PubMed 27190022Noseda R, Bernstein CA, Nir RR, Lee AJ, Fulton AB, Bertisch SM, Hovaguimian A, Cestari DM, Saavedra-Walker R, Borsook D, Doran BL, Buettner C, Burstein R. Migraine photophobia originating in cone-driven retinal pathways. Brain. 2016 Jul;139(Pt 7):1971-86. doi: 10.1093/brain/aww119. Epub 2016 May 17.
- Background: PubMed 20062053Noseda R, Kainz V, Jakubowski M, Gooley JJ, Saper CB, Digre K, Burstein R. A neural mechanism for exacerbation of headache by light. Nat Neurosci. 2010 Feb;13(2):239-45. doi: 10.1038/nn.2475. Epub 2010 Jan 10.
- Background: PubMed 28652355Noseda R, Lee AJ, Nir RR, Bernstein CA, Kainz VM, Bertisch SM, Buettner C, Borsook D, Burstein R. Neural mechanism for hypothalamic-mediated autonomic responses to light during migraine. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 Jul 11;114(28):E5683-E5692. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1708361114. Epub 2017 Jun 26.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Paul MacMullin contact
Alexander Rotenberg, MD, PhD principal investigator
Boston Children's Hospital
Phillip Pearl, MD principal investigator
Boston Children's Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Green Light Exposure in people with Epilepsy and Epilepsy Intractable, run by Boston Children's Hospital 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 3 inclusion and 4 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: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Mar 2022. 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?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Paul MacMullin (Paul.MacMullin@childrens.harvard.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Effects of exposure to a narrow band of green light (520-540 nm) at low intensities (1-10 cd/m2) on the pattern of electrical activity in the cortex of epilepsy patients. (time frame: 120 minutes). 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 NCT03857074, which also lists 3 linked publications.
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 9 Mar 2022; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.