A Pilot Study of Topiramate in Childhood Absence Epilepsy

Sponsor

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (Industry)

Overall Status

Completed

CT.gov ID

NCT00210574

Collaborator

Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc. (Industry)

Enrollment

Duration (Months)

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Limited data exist on the effectiveness of antiepileptic drugs for treatment of childhood absence epilepsy. Preliminary data suggest that topiramate may be an effective drug for this condition. The present study is designed to provide further evidence of the potential effectiveness of topiramate for childhood absence epilepsy, as well as preliminary information about a potential target dose for future study.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Epilepsy, Absence	Drug: topiramate	Phase 2

Detailed Description

Childhood Absence Epilepsy (CAE) affects 2-11% of all children with epilepsy. CAE occurs most frequently in children between the ages of 4 and 10 years. Children with CAE have brief seizures (usually several seconds in duration) that typically involve staring and loss of awareness; twitching movement of the face or other areas of the body may also occur. Absence seizures are provoked by deep breathing for several minutes ("hyperventilation"). Topiramate is known to be effective in several types of seizures in children. Preliminary data from studies on other types of epilepsy, as well as case reports, suggest that it may also be effective in the type of seizures that occur in CAE. The objective of the study is to gather additional preliminary data on the effectiveness and the potential target dose of topiramate in CAE. Because CAE is not expected to resolve spontaneously in the age group being studied, no control group will be included. Patients in the study will receive increasing doses of topiramate, with the starting dose and dose increases at weekly intervals. The starting dose and dosage increases will be based on the child's weight. At each visit, hyperventilation will be used to determine if seizures can be provoked. If seizures occur, the dose will be further increased to the maximum dose for the study. If seizures do not occur with hyperventilation, an electroencephalogram (EEG) will be performed to confirm that the seizures are not occurring. If the EEG confirms that no seizures are occurring, topiramate dose will be maintained for 12 weeks. Topiramate will be given in the form of "sprinkles" contained within capsules that may be opened and the drug sprinkled onto food. Starting dose will depend on the child's weight, then increased to a maximum dose: 9 milligrams/kilogram/day or 400 milligrams/day, whichever is less for up to 162 days

Study Design

Study Type:

Interventional

Actual Enrollment :

12 participants

Allocation:

Non-Randomized

Intervention Model:

Single Group Assignment

Masking:

None (Open Label)

Primary Purpose:

Treatment

Official Title:

A Pilot Study of Topiramate in Childhood Absence Epilepsy

Study Start Date :

Mar 1, 2005

Actual Study Completion Date :

Oct 1, 2006

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Proportion of subjects who become seizure-free. []

Secondary Outcome Measures

Change in number of seizures per hour; change in duration of EEG spike wave discharges per hour; relationship between the lack of seizures and the blood level of topiramate. []

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

4 Years to 9 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Inclusion Criteria:

Weight of at least 15 kg (33 pounds)
confirmed diagnosis of childhood absence epilepsy
no other serious health problems or neurologic problems
have not taken anti-epilepsy drugs other than ethosuximide, lamotrigine, or valproate
able to take oral medication in a sprinkle capsule formulation
girls must not have gotten their first menstrual period.

Exclusion Criteria:

No seizures that are caused by something other than childhood absence epilepsy
not taken topiramate, primidone, zonisamide, or phenobarbital in the past
had to stop taking an anti-epilepsy drug (ethosuximide, lamotrigine, or valproate) because it was not effective in treating childhood absence epilepsy
no presence of abnormal brain waves on electroencephalogram
no presence of mental retardation, no autism, or severe developmental disorder.

Contacts and Locations

Locations

No locations specified.

Sponsors and Collaborators

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.
Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc.

Investigators

Study Director: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L. C. Clinical Trial, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.