4 Clinical Trials for Infantile Spasms
After initially successful treatment, many children with infantile spasms unfortunately have a relapse, and relapse is linked to poor long-term outcomes such as autism and other forms of epilepsy. The aim of this study is to determine if treatment with low-dose prednisolone is safe, well tolerated, and effective in reducing the risk of relapse.
Infantile spasms are a type of seizure linked to developmental issues. Unfortunately, they are often misdiagnosed, causing delays in treatment. The purpose of this study is to develop a computer program that can reliably differentiate infantile spasms from similar, yet benign movements in videos. This computer program will learn from videos taken by parents of study participants. Quickly recognizing and treating infantile spasms is crucial for ensuring the best developmental outcomes.
This is a phase II clinical trial in which children with refractory infantile spasms (also called epileptic spasms or West syndrome) will be treated with fenfluramine, to evaluate efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Patients with infantile spasms that have not responded to treatment with vigabatrin and ACTH we will be invited to participate. Study participants will undergo baseline video-EEG, receive treatment with fenfluramine for 21 days, and then undergo repeat video-EEG to determine effectiveness. Patients with favorable response will have the opportunity to continue treatment for up to 6 months.
Investigators at Boston Children's Hospital are conducting research in order to better understand the genetic factors which may contribute to epilepsy and related disorders. These findings may help explain the broad spectrum of clinical characteristics and outcomes seen in people with epilepsy.