We'd like your feedback
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
Dr
Charlotte
Tye
charlotte.tye@kcl.ac.uk
Dr
Charlotte
Tye
charlotte.tye@kcl.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
Episodic and paroxysmal disordersDisorders of psychological development
This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.
The co-occurrence of epilepsy and autism significantly impacts upon quality of life and shortens life expectancy, yet the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the association are poorly understood. Previous research has identified associations between autism and certain features of epilepsy, but the majority of these studies have been retrospective investigations after a diagnosis of autism has been established. By measuring brain and behavioural function prior to emergence of autistic traits, it will be possible to identify specific patterns that predict autistic outcome.
Existing assessments of early-onset epilepsy populations are limited by reliance on parental report and focus on broad-brush measures of development. The BEE Study will employ an assessment protocol that assesses critical domains of brain development, such as the social and attentional difficulties associated with autism, in order to identify features of brain and behavioural development that predict emerging autistic traits. We will recruit 80 infants with epilepsy (infantile spasms and/or focal seizures) aged 1 to 10 months old and track their development at four time points up to 24 months old. This will help us to link information about brain development in infancy to behaviours in toddlerhood. We will ask parents to tell us about their infant through questionnaires and interviews, and we will observe how infants behave in play-based assessments. We will also exploit technological advances that allow eye-tracking and electrophysiology (EEG) measures to be implemented in the home.
Large existing datasets of infants with typical and elevated familial likelihood for autism, collected using compatible methods and measures where possible (e.g. EDiTS, STAARS, BASIS), enable a test of causal developmental pathways. Joining together helps us to learn more about the early development of children at risk for autism. The results will aid in stratifying infants with epilepsy according to behavioural outcome inform and test early intervention strategies.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
Observational type: Cohort study;
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
- Significant uncorrected visual or hearing problems. - Seizures provoked by acute conditions, such as fever, infections, trauma, electrolyte disturbances, transient metabolic/endocrine disorders. - Parents with evidence of current severe learning difficulties and/or psychiatric disorders who would find it difficult to complete questionnaire or unable to give fully informed consent. - Families with current safeguarding concerns or other family situations that may affect their participation in the study.
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
Dr
Charlotte
Tye
charlotte.tye@kcl.ac.uk
Dr
Charlotte
Tye
charlotte.tye@kcl.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
The study is sponsored by King's College London and funded by Epilepsy Research Institute UK .
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Read full details
for Trial ID: CPMS 51192
You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.
