Epileptic Spasms, Failed Hormonal TherapyPhase 2/3TOPAMADNCT05958160
Modified Atkins Diet Versus Topiramate In Children With Epileptic Spasms Refractory To Hormonal Treatment: A Randomized Open-Label Study
A Phase 2/3 study testing Modified Atkins diet and Topiramate in people with Epileptic Spasms, Failed Hormonal Therapy, run by Lady Hardinge Medical College at 1 site in India.
Trial summary
This study has been planned to compare the efficacy and tolerability of topiramate, a commonly used second line agent, with modified Atkins diet in children with epileptic spasms refractory to hormonal treatment, in a randomized open label study. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 9 months to 3 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Epileptic Spasms, Failed Hormonal Therapy
- What is being tested?
- Modified Atkins diet and Topiramate
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 70 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIndia
- Study dates
- 20 Jul 2023to 31 Oct 2024
- Phase
- Phase 2/3
- 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 9 months to 3 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- 1) Age: 9 months to 3 years 2) Diagnosis of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome as per the ILAE 2022 diagnostic criteria 3) Failure of hormonal therapy, i.e. oral prednisolone or ACTH
- -
Who cannot join
- 1) Known or suspected inborn error of metabolism 2) Prior use of the ketogenic or modified Atkins diet or Topiramate 3) Systemic illness- chronic hepatic, renal or pulmonary disease 4) Diagnosed renal stones
- -
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
India1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital
New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi, 110001
Suvasini Sharma, DM, sharma.suvasini@gmail.com
Suvasini Sharma, DM
About this study
This study has been planned to compare the efficacy and tolerability of topiramate, a commonly used second line agent, with modified Atkins diet in children with epileptic spasms refractory to hormonal treatment, in a randomized open label study.
Read the detailed description
Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, formerly known as West syndrome is a severe and difficult to treat epilepsy syndrome in infants and young children. The first-line options of this condition include hormonal therapy, i.e., adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or oral corticosteroids, and/or vigabatrin. These are effective in 45%-55% of the patients. These are however associated with significant side effects, and high relapse rates. Newer drugs such as topiramate, zonisamide, and levetiracetam have also been evaluated; but there have been no randomized trials to evaluate the efficacy of these agents. Topiramate is one of the most commonly used second line agents used for the treatment of epileptic spasms.
The ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, adequate-protein diet is an established, effective non-pharmacologic treatment for children with intractable epilepsy. Despite being highly efficacious, ketogenic diet has practical constraints in implementation leading to need for alternative approaches. The modified Atkins diet is a less restrictive variation of the ketogenic diet. This diet is more palatable and acceptable in comparison to ketogenic diet. The modified Atkins diet has shown to be effective in children with epileptic spasms refractory to first line treatment in a recent randomized controlled trial, comparing add-on diet versus continuing the on-going anti-seizure medications alone. At the end of 4 weeks, 11 children in the diet group were spasm free compared with none in the control group (P ≤ .001).
This study has been planned to compare the efficacy and tolerability of topiramate, a commonly used second line agent, with modified Atkins diet in children with epileptic spasms refractory to hormonal treatment, in a randomized open label study. The results will guide clinicians as to the best options in children with epileptic spasms refractory to hormonal treatment.
- Being tested
- Modified Atkins diet, Topiramate
- Medical subject headings
- Spasms, Infantile
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Modified Atkins dietOther
Also called Ketogenic diet
The modified Atkins diet is a less restrictive version of the ketogenic diet
TopiramateDrug
Topiramate is an anti-seizure medication
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Modified Atkins Diet Arm | Experimental | Modified Atkins diet will be added to the ongoing anti-seizure medication regimen Receives: Other: Modified Atkins diet |
| Topiramate arm | Active comparator | Topiramate will be added to the ongoing anti-seizure medication regimen Receives: Drug: Topiramate |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The proportion of children with ≥ 50% reduction in clinical spasms at 12 weeks as compared to baseline as per parental reports in both groups
The proportion of children with ≥ 50% reduction in clinical spasms at 12 weeks as compared to baseline as per parental reports in both groups
Measured: 12 weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
The proportion of children with clinical spasm cessation as per parental reports at the end of 12 weeks of treatment in both groups.
Measured: 12 weeks
The proportion of children with ≥ 1 point improvement in BASED score at 12 week as compared to baseline in both groups
Measured: 12 weeks
Adverse effects of the intervention in both groups
Measured: 12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Jul 2023
- Study start20 Jul 2023 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Sep 2024 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Oct 2024 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Epileptic Spasms, Failed Hormonal TherapyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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 2/3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Randomized Open-label study
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Lady Hardinge Medical College
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Suvasini Sharma, Lady Hardinge Medical College
- Investigators
- Suvasini Sharma, MD, DM, Principal investigator, Lady Hardinge Medical College
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05958160
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- TOPAMAD
- Acronym
- TOPAMAD
- Status last verified
- Jul 2023
- First submitted
- 14 Jul 2023
- Last updated
- 24 Jul 2023
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Meena R, Roy Chowdhury S, Elwadhi A, Jain P, Mukherjee SB, Sharma S. Modified Atkins diet versus topiramate in young children with epileptic spasms refractory to steroids and vigabatrin: a randomised open-label trial. Seizure. 2025 Sep;131:405-412. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2025.08.011. Epub 2025 Aug 10.
PubMed 40840039
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Jul 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Modified Atkins Diet Versus Topiramate In Children With Epileptic Spasms Refractory To Hormonal Treatment: A Randomized Open-Label Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05958160
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TOPAMAD / TOPAMAD
- Phase
- Phase 2/3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Lady Hardinge Medical CollegeOther government
- Study start
- 20 Jul 2023 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2024 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Oct 2024 (estimated)
- First posted
- 24 Jul 2023 (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.
This study has been planned to compare the efficacy and tolerability of topiramate, a commonly used second line agent, with modified Atkins diet in children with epileptic spasms refractory to hormonal treatment, in a randomized open label study.
Detailed description
Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, formerly known as West syndrome is a severe and difficult to treat epilepsy syndrome in infants and young children. The first-line options of this condition include hormonal therapy, i.e., adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or oral corticosteroids, and/or vigabatrin. These are effective in 45%-55% of the patients. These are however associated with significant side effects, and high relapse rates. Newer drugs such as topiramate, zonisamide, and levetiracetam have also been evaluated; but there have been no randomized trials to evaluate the efficacy of these agents. Topiramate is one of the most commonly used second line agents used for the treatment of epileptic spasms.
The ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, adequate-protein diet is an established, effective non-pharmacologic treatment for children with intractable epilepsy. Despite being highly efficacious, ketogenic diet has practical constraints in implementation leading to need for alternative approaches. The modified Atkins diet is a less restrictive variation of the ketogenic diet. This diet is more palatable and acceptable in comparison to ketogenic diet. The modified Atkins diet has shown to be effective in children with epileptic spasms refractory to first line treatment in a recent randomized controlled trial, comparing add-on diet versus continuing the on-going anti-seizure medications alone. At the end of 4 weeks, 11 children in the diet group were spasm free compared with none in the control group (P ≤ .001).
This study has been planned to compare the efficacy and tolerability of topiramate, a commonly used second line agent, with modified Atkins diet in children with epileptic spasms refractory to hormonal treatment, in a randomized open label study. The results will guide clinicians as to the best options in children with epileptic spasms refractory to hormonal treatment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Randomized Open-label study
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Modified Atkins Diet Arm | Experimental | Other: Modified Atkins dietModified Atkins diet will be added to the ongoing anti-seizure medication regimen |
| Topiramate arm | Active comparator | Drug: TopiramateTopiramate will be added to the ongoing anti-seizure medication regimen |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 9 months to 3 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- 1) Age: 9 months to 3 years 2) Diagnosis of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome as per the ILAE 2022 diagnostic criteria 3) Failure of hormonal therapy, i.e. oral prednisolone or ACTH
- -
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- 1) Known or suspected inborn error of metabolism 2) Prior use of the ketogenic or modified Atkins diet or Topiramate 3) Systemic illness- chronic hepatic, renal or pulmonary disease 4) Diagnosed renal stones
- -
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Modified Atkins dietAlso: Ketogenic dietThe modified Atkins diet is a less restrictive version of the ketogenic diet | Other | Modified Atkins Diet Arm |
| TopiramateTopiramate is an anti-seizure medication | Drug | Topiramate arm |
Primary outcome
The proportion of children with ≥ 50% reduction in clinical spasms at 12 weeks as compared to baseline as per parental reports in both groups
Time frame: 12 weeks
The proportion of children with ≥ 50% reduction in clinical spasms at 12 weeks as compared to baseline as per parental reports in both groups
3 secondary outcomes
The proportion of children with clinical spasm cessation as per parental reports at the end of 12 weeks of treatment in both groups.
Time frame: 12 weeks
The proportion of children with ≥ 1 point improvement in BASED score at 12 week as compared to baseline in both groups
Time frame: 12 weeks
Adverse effects of the intervention in both groups
Time frame: 12 weeks
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Jul 2023.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40840039Meena R, Roy Chowdhury S, Elwadhi A, Jain P, Mukherjee SB, Sharma S. Modified Atkins diet versus topiramate in young children with epileptic spasms refractory to steroids and vigabatrin: a randomised open-label trial. Seizure. 2025 Sep;131:405-412. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2025.08.011. Epub 2025 Aug 10.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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.
Suvasini Sharma, MD, DM principal investigator
Lady Hardinge Medical College
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2/3 study testing Modified Atkins diet and Topiramate in people with Epileptic Spasms, Failed Hormonal Therapy, run by Lady Hardinge Medical College at 1 site in India.
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 2 inclusion and 2 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 24 Jul 2023. 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 India. 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.
What does this combined phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
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?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Suvasini Sharma, MD, DM (9910234344 ext. 0091, sharma.suvasini@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The proportion of children with ≥ 50% reduction in clinical spasms at 12 weeks as compared to baseline as per parental reports in both groups (time frame: 12 weeks). 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 NCT05958160, 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 24 Jul 2023; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.