Preventing Epilepsy after Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and tolerability of topiramate (TPM) in the treatment of early seizures following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to compare the efficacy of TPM to prevent early seizures to the standard of care (phenytoin). A secondary objective is to obtain the data necessary to design a randomized clinical trial to determine if TPM can prevent epilepsy and improve neurological outcome after TBI. In the first two years of the study we formulated the protocol and all documents required by regulatory bodies. These were approved by the IRB at the University of Pennsylvania HSRRB at the USArmy and the FDA. The infrastructure for the study was established relevant personnel were hired and the patient recruitment methods interactions with the trauma center neurosurgical services EEG laboratory pharmacy etc. were organized in order to conduct the research. Patient recruitment was begun but after screening more than 100 prospective patients with TBl no patients were able to be admitted to the study as it was constituted for several unforeseen technical reasons. The protocol has been revised to eliminate these obstacles. In addition a NINDS-sponsored workshop on Biomarkers for Epileptogenesis was held and a program of new potential biomarkers was incorporated into the study.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA468565

Entities

People

  • Marc A. Dichter

Organizations

  • University of Pennsylvania

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Biological Markers
  • Brain Injuries
  • Clinical Trials
  • Databases
  • Department Of Defense
  • Epilepsy
  • Head Injuries
  • Health Services
  • Infrastructure
  • Medical Personnel
  • Pennsylvania
  • Pharmacies
  • Standards
  • Students
  • Universities
  • Workshops

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Clinical Trial Research.
  • Neuroscience
  • Trauma or Military Medicine