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Biology of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Recruiting
Conditions
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
Interventions
Other: Existing samples
Other: Blood draw
Registration Number
NCT03400371
Lead Sponsor
King's College London
Brief Summary

The investigators are collecting genetic information through blood samples as well as clinical and EEG data from over 1000 people with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) across the UK, Europe and North America. This study will draw on both existing and new samples from JME patients. These will be compared to anonymised data from samples for 2000 controls. The goal of this study is to find the genetic cause of JME. Finding the cause will help create better treatments for JME, as well as improve patient outcomes by allowing us to detect it earlier.

Detailed Description

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder affecting 1% of the population. There are over 30 types of epilepsy, some common, some rare. Most epilepsies arise in childhood and have a genetic cause. Approximately 40% of patients have the common forms of Genetic Generalised Epilepsy (GGE), and the commonest GGE is "Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy" or JME.

The goal of this study is to find the genetic cause for JME. The investigators will do this by comparing the genetic code in JME patients with that in people who do not have epilepsy. This study will use clues from their electroencephalograph or brainwave test that is used to help diagnose epilepsy. Participants will provide a single blood sample, along with permission to collect clinical data about their diagnosis and a copy of their clinical EEG. There is no direct benefit or risk to the research participants but the results from this study may help other people with epilepsy or brain impairments in the future.

There is overwhelming evidence that JME is caused by changes in genetic code. These changes are likely to be found in more than just one gene and there may be more than one type of change. In order to find these changes, this study will look at a large number of people with JME and compare their genetic code with people who do not have epilepsy. Finding the causes of JME will lead to better understanding of its cause, new treatments, and tailoring of treatments according to a person's genetic make-up.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
1000
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosis of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy in accordance with Consensus criteria

    • Age of myoclonus onset 10-25 years
    • Seizures comprising predominant or exclusive early morning myoclonus of upper extremities
    • EEG interictal generalized spikes and/or polyspike and waves with normal background
  • Current age 10-40 years

Exclusion Criteria
  • Myoclonus only associated with carbamazepine or lamotrigine therapy
  • EEG showing predominant focal interictal epileptiform discharges or abnormal background
  • Any evidence of progressive or symptomatic myoclonus epilepsy or focal seizures
  • Global learning disability
  • Dysmorphic syndrome
  • Unable to provide informed consent

Regrettably, we are currently unable to accept self-referrals to the BIOJUME study.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ControlsExisting samplesPeople without a lifetime history of seizures.
Patients diagnosed with JMEBlood drawPeople who meet the eligibility requirements and have been diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Genomewide DNA association studyDay 1

Association between SNP marker and phenotype is measured using genomewide DNA markers, which enables us to test support for molecular networks that act on seizure susceptibility

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quantitative EEG endophenotypeDay 1

Brain network ictogenicity is measured using quantitative EEG data

Trial Locations

Locations (15)

Tallinn Children's Hospital

🇪🇪

Tallin, Estonia

Mount Sinai-Beth Israel Medical Center

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Hospital for Sick Kids

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

St Luke's Roosevelt Hospital

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery

🇬🇧

Liverpool, United Kingdom

Nationwide Children's Hospital

🇺🇸

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Commissione Genetica Lega Italiana contro l'Epilepssia

🇮🇹

Roma, Italy

Vestre Viken Health Trust, Oslo

🇳🇴

Drammen, Norway

King's College Hospital NHS Trust

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

Charles University

🇨🇿

Praha, Czechia

Danish National Epilepsy Centre

🇩🇰

Dianalund, Denmark

University Robert Debré

🇫🇷

Paris, France

Royal London Hospital

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

St Thomas' Hospital

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

Swansea University

🇬🇧

Swansea, United Kingdom

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