Improving Diagnostics and Care After First Seizure

Launched by HAUKELAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Feb 5, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on improving how we diagnose and care for people who experience their first suspected epileptic seizure. Many individuals face a confusing and lengthy process before receiving a proper epilepsy diagnosis, which can be distressing. The study aims to gather information about the occurrence of first seizures and how patients are treated after these events. Researchers will explore the effectiveness of early EEG tests, a key tool for diagnosing epilepsy, and assess how artificial intelligence can help make these diagnoses more accurate. The study will track around 200 patients over two years to understand their health journey, including any complications or new diagnoses they might experience.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must have had an event that strongly suggests they might have had an epileptic seizure, and it must be their first time experiencing such an event or a recurrence that needs a new evaluation. Importantly, individuals with a prior diagnosis of epilepsy are not eligible. Participants can expect to provide information about their health and receive regular follow-ups to monitor their condition. Additionally, the study aims to identify gaps in current care practices, which could lead to improvements that benefit patients not just in Bergen, Norway, but also in similar regions worldwide.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• * The patient has experienced events with a substantial suspicion of being an epileptic seizure. One of:
• • The patient has experienced one or more first-in-life events with a substantial suspicion of being an epileptic seizure, including febrile seizures, and these episodes have previously not been evaluated by a neurologist or pediatrician OR
• • The patient has experienced the recurrence of events with a substantial suspicion of being an epileptic seizure, that have previously been evaluated by a neurologist or pediatrician to not be epileptic, and this merits a new evaluation.
• • OR: The patient does not fulfill the criteria above, but has been investigated for episodes or complaints, which after evaluation have been shown to be first-in-life epileptic seizures.
• • OR
• • -The patient has experienced the recurrence of events with a substantial suspicion of being an epileptic seizure, that have previously been evaluated by a neurologist or pediatrician to not be epileptic, and this merits a new evaluation.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Previous known clinical diagnosis of epilepsy given by a neurologist or pediatrician, and not subsequently retracted.
• • Person or caregivers able to give informed consent.
• • Adequate Norwegian language skills to be able to fill out questionnaires.