Study of Specimens Obtained During Epilepsy Surgery
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00025714 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : October 12, 2001
Last Update Posted : December 17, 2020
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This study will collect brain tissue samples for research purposes from patients undergoing surgery to treat epilepsy. The standard surgical procedure for medically intractable epilepsy i.e., epilepsy that cannot be controlled with medicine requires removal of more brain tissue than is needed for diagnostic study. This extra tissue, which would otherwise be discarded, will be used for research purposes. In addition, a blood vessel in the scalp, called the superficial temporal artery, is also normally cut during surgery, and a piece of this vessel will be taken for research use.
Patients 4 years of age or older who undergo surgery for medically intractable epilepsy may be eligible for this study.
Brain tissue collected under this protocol will be used for studies of brain cells in other diseases and of serotonin receptors. Any remaining brain tissue will be frozen for use in future research. The superficial temporal artery will be used for comparison with carotid arteries (a neck artery that supplies the brain) from patients with blockage of this blood vessel.
Condition or disease |
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Epilepsy |
This is a protocol to perform research studies on tissues that are removed in the operating room during surgical procedures for drug resistant epilepsy. Our aim is to acquire and supply useful tissue specimens for intramural NIH research projects.
The investigators will evaluate participants with medically intractable drug resistant epilepsy who are considered for surgery to determine whether surgical specimen may be available for this protocol. Surgery and standard care for these participants will be performed under a separate protocol, 11-N-0051 Epilepsy Surgery. The intent of this protocol is solely for procuring tissue that is resected for standard clinical care during surgery. This protocol is not designed to test any new treatments.
These are the research aspects of the protocol: 1) Any brain tissue that is removed and is not required for diagnostic studies will be used for laboratory studies, consistent with institutional guidelines. 2) Blood tests to test for immune and inflammatory mediators will be performed. 3) Saliva will be collected to test for immune and inflammatory markers.
Study Type : | Observational |
Actual Enrollment : | 131 participants |
Observational Model: | Cohort |
Time Perspective: | Retrospective |
Official Title: | Research Study of Specimens Obtained During Epilepsy Surgery |
Study Start Date : | October 10, 2001 |

Group/Cohort |
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Patients
Patients who have agreed to undergo brain surgery to treat drug resistant epilepsy and are enrolled in protocol 11-N-0051 Epilepsy Surgery.
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- Sample Collection [ Time Frame: Baseline ]The goal of this protocol is to distribute human brain tissue samples to NINDS labs and collaborators.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 4 Years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Sampling Method: | Non-Probability Sample |
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
To be eligible for entry into the study, candidates must meet al the following criteria:
- Be 4 years of age or older.
- Able to give informed consent, or, assent if a child.
- Have agreed to undergo brain surgery to treat drug resistant epilepsy and are enrolled in protocol 11-N-0051 Epilepsy Surgery.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Candidates will be excluded if they:
1. Are not a surgical candidate as specified in appropriate protocols.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00025714
United States, Maryland | |
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike | |
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892 |
Principal Investigator: | Kareem A Zaghloul, M.D. | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) |
Publications:
Responsible Party: | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00025714 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
020014 02-N-0014 |
First Posted: | October 12, 2001 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | December 17, 2020 |
Last Verified: | December 9, 2020 |
Serotonin Receptor Cell Culture Temporal Lobe Endothelial Cells |
Superficial Temporal Artery Epilepsy Intractable Epilepsy |
Epilepsy Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases |