Volatile Non-Invasive Biomarkers of Epileptic Seizures

Recruiting

• Conditions: Epilepsy; Non-Epileptic Seizure

• Registration Number: NCT05725174
• Lead Sponsor: University College London Hospitals

Brief Summary

Breath and sweat samples will be collected from people who have been admitted to hospital after a potential seizure and analysed by the team. The researchers then hope to identify a pattern of small molecules that can distinguish seizures from other events, and perhaps determine the severity of the seizure.

Detailed Description

Determining whether someone has had an epileptic seizure, or another event, can be challenging and result in the wrong diagnosis. A 'seizure test' used after the event would therefore be very helpful.

Researchers have used small molecules released from the body in breath and sweat to detect cancers and other diseases; this study will determine whether a similar method can be used to detect whether someone has had an epileptic seizure.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-01-30
• Study First Submitted: 2023-02-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-02-02
• Study First Posted: 2023-02-13
• Status Verified: 2024-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-12-03
• Last Update Posted: 2024-12-06
• Primary Completion: 2025-10-01
• Study Completion: 2026-11-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 270

Inclusion Criteria

1. Patients who have been admitted to either University College London's Queen's Square EEG-telemetry unit or Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, for diagnosis of seizure events.
2. Patients aged 18 years or above

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients with active infection or who have taken antibiotics within 4 weeks
2. Patients on immunosuppressive medications
3. Patients with co-morbidities preventing breath collection
4. Patients unable to provide informed consent.

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Distinguishing epileptic from non-epileptic seizures	3 years	To distinguish epileptic from non-epileptic seizures with the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath and sebum samples.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy; 🇬🇧 London, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom

National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery; 🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom