Feasibility of real-time EEG monitoring in patients with head injuries
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study to assess the feasibility of real-time EEG monitoring in patients following traumatic brain injury
IRAS ID
252203
Contact name
Michael B Fertleman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 3 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of using electroencephalograms (EEGs) at the bedside of patients over the age of 18 who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.
Electroencephalograms are a well established non-invasive medical investigation which show brain activity by attaching electrodes to the scalp of a patient to monitor electrical activity. Current practice is that patients who have a traumatic brain injury do not receive continuous EEG monitoring, as the equipment needed to perform this does not practically allow it, as it involves around 16-20 electrodes positioned across the head.
Currently, patients admitted with traumatic brain injuries receive preventative anti-seizure medications, to try to prevent seizures that they may develop secondary to their brain injury. These anti-seizure medications can have potentially unwanted side effects. The most commonly used anti-epileptic medication, levetiracetam, has the following side effects listed as common or very common according to the British National Formulary listing of medications: 'Abdominal pain; aggression; anorexia; anxiety; ataxia [balance problems]; convulsion; cough; depression; diarrhoea; dizziness; drowsiness; dyspepsia [indigestion]; headache; insomnia; irritability; malaise; nasopharyngitis [cold like symptoms]; nausea; rash; tremor; vertigo; vomiting'.
The hope is that eventually by continuously monitoring a patient's EEG, therapy can be tailored more specifically to patients. This could mean patients showing pre-seizure activity would receive anti-seizure medications, whilst those not showing evidence of pre-seizure activity would not require medications, so avoiding their toxic side effects.
In this study patients would still receive the same anti-seizure medications they otherwise would, but they would have a single panel EEG sticker attached to their forehead. As EEGs only monitor for electrical activity, they do not have any unwanted side effects and have been proven, over an extended period of time, to be safe.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1685
Date of REC Opinion
5 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion