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The Clinical Research Landscape of Pediatric Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

K Julia Kaal1,2,3, Magda Aguiar1,3, Mark Harrison3,4

  • 1Neuroethics Canada, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, 8166University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Journal of Child Neurology
|June 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Clinical research for pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) shows a gap between study findings and patient care. More timely evidence is needed for new neurotechnological interventions in children with DRE.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) affects children globally.
  • Limited research focuses on neurotechnological interventions for pediatric DRE.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the clinical research landscape of pediatric DRE.
  • To focus on neurotechnology interventions for pediatric DRE.

Main Methods:

  • Searched ClinicalTrials.gov for pediatric DRE studies (ages 0-17).
  • Grouped trials by intervention type (neurotechnology, drug, dietary, other).
  • Compared key trial features across intervention groups.

Main Results:

  • 101 trials identified for pediatric DRE.
  • 32% of trials investigated neurotechnological interventions.
  • Vagus nerve stimulation, tDCS, and DBS were common neurotechnologies, but few were pediatric-specific.
  • Seizure frequency was the most common primary outcome.

Conclusions:

  • A lag exists between clinical research and practice for pediatric DRE.
  • Timely evidence generation is crucial before widespread adoption of novel neurotechnologies.
Abstract

Keywords:
clinical trialsdrug-resistant epilepsyneurotechnological interventions

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