Principal Investigator: Blake Newman
Keywords: Epilepsy , Seizure , Vagus Nerve Stimulator , VNS , Intractable Epilepsy , Focal seizures , Generalized seizures , Neurology , Neurosurgery Department: Neurology
IRB Number: 00106153 Co Investigator: John Rolston
Specialty: Neurosurgery, Neurology, Neurology
Sub Specialties: Epilepsy, Seizures
Recruitment Status: Enrolling by invitation

Contact Information

Lilly Fagatele
Lilly.Fagatele@hsc.utah.edu
801-585-9266

Brief Summary

Primary Objective:

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the initial safety and effectiveness of Microburst stimulation in subjects with refractory epilepsy; subjects with primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTC) and subjects with partial onset seizures including complex partial seizures with or without secondary generalization.

Secondary Objective

Secondary objective is to compare the following measures from baseline:

Change in seizure frequency as measured by subject’s seizure diary (as reported by the subject) and summary of subject seizure diary (as reported by the investigator site).

  • Change in seizure severity as measured by the Seizure Severity Questionnaire; SSQ (as reported by the subject).
  • Change in quality of life as measured by Quality of Life Questionnaire; QOLIE-31-P or QOLIE-AD-48 (as reported by the subject).
  • Change in AED drug load drug change as well as dose change as measured by concomitant anti-epileptic drug log.
  • Suicidality as measured by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (as reported by the investigator site).
  • All adverse events as measured by review of safety reports from VNS implantation visit through follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria

Subjects must meet all of the following criteria to be considered for enrollment:

  1. Clinical diagnosis of medically refractory epilepsy with primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (limited to 20 subjects) or partial onset seizures including complex partial seizures with or without secondary generalization (limited to 20 subjects).

NOTES: 

  • Clinical diagnosis for subjects with PGTCs will be confirmed via historical EEG (within the past 3 years) by the investigator.
  • A prospective EEG will be required if the historical EEG was completed > 3 years or if the historical EEG is not fully evident of PGTC diagnosis and will be confirmed by independent review.
  1. Must be on adjunctive antiepileptic medications.
  2. Willing and capable to undergo multiple evaluations with fMRI, EEG and ECG.
  3. A) For subjects with partial onset seizures:  An average of ≥ 3 countable seizures per month based on seizure diary during the 3 month baseline period and no seizure-free interval greater than 30 days during those 3 months.

B) For subjects with PGTCs: Have at least a total of ≥ 3 countable seizures during the 3 month baseline period.  Note:  Each seizure within a cluster may be counted as separate seizures.

  1. 12 years of age or older(at our site we will only enroll participants 18 years of age or older).
  2. Subject is a male or non-pregnant female adequately protected from conception.  Females of childbearing potential must use an acceptable method of birth control. 
  3. Provide written informed consent-assent/Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization and self-reported measures with minimal assistance as determined by the investigator.

Exclusion Criteria

Subjects who meet any of the following criteria are not eligible to be enrolled in the study:

  1. Currently using, or are expected to use, short-wave diathermy, microwave diathermy, or therapeutic ultrasound diathermy.
  2. A VNS Therapy System implant would (in the investigator’s judgment) pose an unacceptable surgical or medical risk for the subject.
  3. A planned procedure that is contraindicated for VNS therapy.
  4. History of implantation of the VNS Therapy System.
  5. Currently receiving treatment from an active implantable medical device. 
  6. Presence of contraindications to MRI per the MRI subject screening record.
  7. Known clinically meaningful cardiovascular arrhythmias currently being managed by devices or treatments that interfere with normal intrinsic heart rate responses (e.g., pacemaker dependency, implantable defibrillator, beta adrenergic blocker medications).
  8. History of chronotropic incompetence (commonly seen in subjects with sustained bradycardia [heart rate < 50 bpm]).
  9. Cognitive or psychiatric deficit that in the investigator’s judgment would interfere with the subject’s ability to accurately complete study assessments.
  10. History of status epilepticus within 1 year of study enrollment.
  11. Dependent on alcohol or narcotic drugs as defined by DSM IV-TR within the past 2 years, based on history. Tests for drug or alcohol use will not be administered.
  12. Currently being treated with prescribed medication that contains cannabis or cannabis related substance, including recreational use.
  13. Any history of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
  14. Currently participating in another clinical study without LivaNova written approval.