Biomarkers to distinguish epileptic from non-epileptic seizures II
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Biomarkers to distinguish epileptic from functional non-epileptic seizures II: Using bio-signals obtained from EEG and non-EEG sensors to distinguish epileptic from functional non-epileptic seizures, an observational study
IRAS ID
288027
Contact name
Mark Richardson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 29 days
Research summary
Uncertainty surrounding when the next seizure is going to happen causes anxiety and distress. Furthermore, documenting the times when seizures have happened is difficult. Recent research suggests that epileptic seizures can be reliably detected, and possibly could be predicted, by wearable sensor devices. However, studies have typically only included people with epilepsy. Functional non-epileptic seizures are events that can resemble epileptic seizures, but unlike epilepsy they are not associated with any excessive electrical discharges of the brain.
Distinguishing between epileptic and functional non-epileptic seizures is difficult but important as they are treated in different ways. The gold standard method of diagnosis is to admit patients to specialist epilepsy monitoring units to capture an event on video, and record brainwave activity at the same time. However, this is expensive, time and resource intensive, and not all patients will have an event during their admission. It is not yet clear whether epileptic seizures and functional non-epileptic seizures could be distinguished from each other using wearable sensors; or whether functional seizures could be predictable.
There is evidence showing that people with functional non-epileptic seizures have differences in their breathing and heart rates, skin sweat production and limb movements around the time of their seizures, compared to people with epileptic seizures. During this study, we will use wearable sensors to acquire physiological measures and use a combined approach to distinguish functional non-epileptic seizures from epileptic seizures in people who are attending for video-EEG investigation or monitoring. Participants will also use a mobile phone application to record their subjective symptoms to see how these differ between the two patient groups, and how this related to seizure occurrence. This may present a novel and clinically translatable way to improve diagnosis, as well as furthering our understanding of what happens before, during and after both seizure types.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0172
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion