• The primary end point for this study is a 50% fluoxetine-related reduction in the number of seizures with associated oxygen desaturations below 90% compared with placebo. [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  

• The secondary end point is, in the group of seizures with desaturations below 90%, a 30% fluoxetine-related improvement in the oxygen desaturation nadir relative to placebo. [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  

Patients who consent to participate in the study will come to the clinic one week prior to the scheduled date of hospitalization in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). At this visit a complete physical examination including vital signs and complete neurological examination, mental status, cranial nerves, motor examination, deep tendon reflexes, sensory examination, coordinator and gait will be performed. Baseline laboratory studies including complete blood count, serum electrolytes, renal and liver function studies and serum pregnancy test for female patients will also be performed. Study medication will be dispensed at this visit.

Patients will be randomized to receive either 20 mg/day of fluoxetine (one pill) or placebo (one pill), to be started one week prior to the scheduled hospital admission date. The dose will be increased to two pills per day on day 1 of hospitalization bringing the total dose of fluoxetine to 40 mg/day in patients randomized to receive this medication. On the day of discharge from the hospital, the study medication will be reduced to 1 pill per day and the patient will be instructed to stop the medication one week following discharge. A follow-up clinic visit for the patient will be scheduled 1 month following hospital discharge, as is the usual protocol for patients undergoing VET at our institution.