SPRING - Seizure PRophylaxis IN Glioma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
SPRING - Seizure PRophylaxis IN Glioma
IRAS ID
235758
Contact name
Michael Jenkinson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Public Health Scotland
Eudract number
2018-001312-30
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
The most common type of primary brain tumour is called a cerebral glioma; around 6000 new cases are reported in the UK each year. 20% of patients who are suspected to have this type of tumour will develop seizures which need to be treated with anti-epileptic drugs before surgery. Of the remaining patients who go on to have surgery 30-50% will develop seizures and need to take anti-epileptic drugs post-surgery or later on.
People with a tumour that have had a seizure are given an anti-epileptic drug (AED). It is unclear if patients who have never had a seizure should be given an AED to prevent them occurring. Currently in the UK, some doctors prescribe AEDs to patients before surgery, whilst others do not. We need to find out whether an AED is needed, and at what dose, so that we can give up to date evidence based guidance to neuro-surgeons and patients and provide the best treatment for patients.
This is a two arm study, patients will be randomly allocated on a 1:1 basis either Levetiracetam or no anti epileptic treatment.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0389
Date of REC Opinion
5 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion