Ask to take part

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.

Contact Information:

Prof John Duncan
+44 (0)20 3448 8612
j.duncan@ucl.ac.uk


Dr Debayan Dasgupta
+44 (0)20 8344 8613
debayan.dasgupta@ucl.ac.uk


Study Location:

Skip to Main Content
English | Cymraeg
Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Optimizing epilepsy surgery

Optimizing epilepsy surgery

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Adult

Medical Conditions

Epilepsy


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.


Sixty million people have epilepsy and a third of them continue to have seizures despite medication, with risks of fatality, brain damage, physical harm and psychosocial disorders. Brain surgery (neurosurgery) can control epilepsy if the responsible part of the brain is removed. We have treated 1,074 individuals with epilepsy surgery since February 1990. In optimal circumstances, 80% have no seizures for 1 year or more after surgery, and 40% never have another seizure. There may, however, be adverse effects. After surgery 30% of individuals develop increased difficulty with memory and language, and 10-20% may lose part of their field of vision.

Over the next 4 years we will implement methods to improve epilepsy surgery, streamline the pathway and so improve access:
1. Systematic analysis of seizure symptoms to better understand the areas of the brain involved in each individual. This information is combined with results of brain imaging and other brain scans and electrical recordings from the scalp and viewed in 3-dimensions.
2. Use computer-assisted analysis of brain scans to define the best locations for recording electrodes in the brain at sites thought to be giving rise to seizures, avoiding blood vessels
3. Analyse the electrical signals recorded from electrodes in the brain, integrating this with analysis of MRI and other brain scans to determine which parts need to be removed to control the epilepsy
4. Plan surgery so that there is the best chance of stopping seizures, and minimized risk of other damage

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:

01 Oct 2020 30 Sep 2025

The study will be part of the normal investigations and assessments made by the clinical teams as a part of the assessment for epilepsy surgery, and will involve clinical assessments and brain scans before surgery, and 3-4 months after the operation to determine whether the treatment was successful.


Individuals aged 18-70 under consideration for epilepsy surgery for drug-resistant focal epilepsy, at National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), who are able to appropriately consent for involvement in the research as well as for surgery itself, and has no contraindications to undergoing neurosurgery.

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Lack of capacity to give informed consent2. Comorbidiites that would make neurosurgical intervention inappropriate (e.g., active neoplasia, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, coagulopathy)


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
    University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    London
    WC1N 3BG

The possible benefits include a higher likelihood of seizure freedom and a lower likelihood of developing severe neurological deficits following the surgery.


The study is sponsored by University College London and funded by Epilepsy Research UK; Grant Codes: UK P1904; Wellcome Trust; Grant Codes: 218380/Z/19/Z.




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.


Is this study information helpful?

What will you do next?

Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN72646265

Or CPMS 46471

Last updated 19 February 2025

This page is to help you find out about a research study and if you may be able to take part

You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.