Effect of Blue Light on Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Refractory Epilepsy

Launched by CLINIQUES UNIVERSITAIRES SAINT-LUC- UNIVERSITÉ CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN · Mar 4, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how exposure to blue light might enhance the effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with refractory epilepsy, which means their seizures are not well controlled by medications. VNS is a treatment where a device is implanted to help reduce the frequency of seizures. Researchers believe that blue light can improve the way VNS works by affecting certain pathways in the brain. The goal is to see if this combination could lead to better outcomes for patients.

To participate in the trial, individuals must be between 18 and 60 years old and have had a VNS device implanted for at least three months. Healthy volunteers aged 18 to 35 with no significant medical history are also welcomed. Participants can expect to be involved in a study that explores how light exposure interacts with their VNS treatment. It's important to note that people with other implanted medical devices or certain eye diseases cannot join the study. Overall, this research could help develop new strategies to improve seizure control for many patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Patients:
• • VNS implanted since at least 3 months age \>18-60 years; IQ \>55 on Wechsler scale (normal status or mild cognitive impairment)
• • healthy participants aged between 18 and 35 years without any medical history (neurological / psychiatric disease)
• Exclusion criteria:
• Patients:
• • other medical implanted devices than VNS, ocular diseases
• Helthy participants:
• • medical implanted devices, cerebral trauma, ocular disease