SeizurePhase 1/2LVT1NCT01660672
Enteral Levetiracetam For Seizure Control In Pediatric Cerebral Malaria
A Phase 1/2 study testing LEVETIRACETAM in people with Seizure and Epilepsy, run by University of Rochester at 1 site in Malawi.
Trial summary
Pediatric cerebral malaria (CM) affects more than 3 million children each year killing ~20% and leaving one third of survivors with long term neurologic and psychiatric sequelae. Seizures occur commonly with CM and are associated with an increased risk of death and neuropsychiatric disabilities. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 2 to 6 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Seizure, Epilepsy, Cerebral Malaria
- What is being tested?
- LEVETIRACETAM
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 7 participants
- Where
- 1 siteMalawi
- Study dates
- Jan 2013to Jul 2013
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 2 to 6 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Comatose with Blantyre Comas Score ≤ 3
- P. falciparum parasitemia
- Active seizure
Who cannot join
- Serum creatinine > 2mg/dL
- Pre-admission/concomitant treatment with antiretroviral medications for HIV (ARVs), antituberculous treatments(ATTs), or chronic use of any other enzyme-inducing medications
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: A Dose-Escalation, Safety And Feasibility Study Of Enteral Levetiracetam For Seizure Control In Pediatric Cerebral Malaria
Pediatric cerebral malaria (CM) affects more than 3 million children each year killing ~20% and leaving one third of survivors with long term neurologic and psychiatric sequelae. Seizures occur commonly with CM and are associated with an increased risk of death and neuropsychiatric disabilities. In this Malawi-based, dose- escalation, safety and feasibility study of enteral levetiracetam in pediatric CM, the investigators will lay the groundwork for future efficacy studies aimed at improving seizure control and ultimately decreasing the neurologic morbidity of pediatric CM.
Read the detailed description
Cerebral malaria (CM) affects ~3 million children each year, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Antimalarial medications can rapidly clear P. falciparum parasites, but mortality rates remain high (12-25%). Survivors do not escape unscathed--~30% experience neurologic sequelae including epilepsy, behavioral disorders and gross neurologic deficits. Acute seizures occur commonly in CM and are associated with higher neurologic morbidity and mortality. Seizure management in malaria endemic regions is challenging because the available antiepileptic drugs (AED) induce respiratory suppression and assisted ventilation is unavailable. More optimal seizure control may improve neurologic outcomes in pediatric CM survivors, especially if the medication used is affordable and can be delivered safely and easily in resource limited settings. The investigators propose to conduct a dose- escalation, safety and feasibility study of enteral levetiracetam (LVT) for seizure control in children with CM and seizures admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Enteral LVT given via nasogastric tube (NGT) rather than an intravenous (IV) formulation will be used since LVT has excellent enteral bioavailability and IV formations are not affordable in most malaria-endemic regions. LVT will be escalated based upon efficacy and toxicity endpoints with efficacy defined as seizure freedom in 75% of children during the 24 hours post LVT administration. Generally, only ~20% of children admitted with CM and seizures who receive standard AED treatment remain seizure free during the first 24 hours after admission. Safety assessments will include monitoring for problems related to NGT placement and medication delivery, laboratory parameters at 24 hours and 7 days post LVT, and overall case fatality rates. If efficacy endpoints are not met but enteral LVT is otherwise tolerated, LVT doses of ~3 times the standard dose used for other seizure-related conditions will be assessed. Pharmacokinetic (Pk) data on the absorption and elimination of LVT in CM will be obtained since enteral formulations are not typically used in critically ill children and malaria has been shown to impact drug absorption and elimination for some other medications. The safety, feasibility, Pk, optimal dosing and preliminary efficacy data from this proposed work will provide the information needed to determine whether to proceed with a randomized clinical trial of LVT in pediatric CM patients which would include acute seizure control as well as long term neurologic outcomes as critical endpoints. Since enteral LVT is relatively affordable for short-term use and could be feasibly delivered in resource limited settings, this therapy could potentially be scaled up for broad use throughout malaria endemic African countries
- Conditions
- Seizure, Epilepsy, Cerebral Malaria
- Being tested
- LEVETIRACETAM
- Medical subject headings
- Seizures, Epilepsy, Malaria, Cerebral
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
LEVETIRACETAMDrug
Also called Keppra
liquid, 40 mg/kg loading dose and 30mg/kg every 12 hours via nasogastric tube for 3 days--this is standard dose. If primary outcome is not reached, dose escalation to 150, 225, and 300% standard, as needed, will be conducted.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| LEVETIRACETAM | Other | Open label, dose escalation to optimal dose. Receives: Drug: LEVETIRACETAM |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Freedom From Seizure
Number of subjects free of seizure at 24 hours after initiation of treatment
Measured: 24 hours
Secondary outcomes (2)
Toxicity Related to LVT
Toxicity including vomiting, aspiration, complications related to the NGT, laboratory parameters at 24 hours and 1 week post LVT administration, and an overall acute case fatality rate significantly above the consistent historical ward average for CM. Pk studies to evaluate LVT absorption and elimination in pediatric CM.
Measured: 1 week
Range of Plasma Concentration of LVT Across All Individuals
Range of plasma LVT concentrations will be determined through HPLC method at eight timepoints post administration to evaluate LVT absorption and elimination in pediatric CM.
Measured: 72 hours
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Aug 2012 (estimated)
- Study startJan 2013
- Primary completionJul 2013
- Study completionJul 2013
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for SeizureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of RochesterThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 7 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Rochester
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Gretchen Birbeck, University of Rochester
- Investigators
- Gretchen L Birbeck, M.D., Principal investigator, University of Rochester
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01660672
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- LVT1R01NS074409
- Other IDs
- 1R01NS074409-01A1
- Acronym
- LVT1
- Status last verified
- Aug 2016
- First submitted
- 19 Jul 2012
- Last updated
- 15 Sep 2016
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Birbeck GL, Herman ST, Capparelli EV, Dzinjalamala FK, Abdel Baki SG, Mallewa M, Toto NM, Postels DG, Gardiner JC, Taylor TE, Seydel KB. A clinical trial of enteral Levetiracetam for acute seizures in pediatric cerebral malaria. BMC Pediatr. 2019 Nov 1;19(1):399. doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1766-2.
PubMed 31672143
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Sep 2016. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Dose-Escalation, Safety And Feasibility Study Of Enteral Levetiracetam For Seizure Control In Pediatric Cerebral Malaria
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01660672
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- LVT1 / LVT1R01NS074409
- Conditions
- Seizure, Epilepsy, Cerebral Malaria
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 7 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of RochesterUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- Study start
- Jan 2013
- Primary completion
- Jul 2013 (actual)
- Study completion
- Jul 2013 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 Aug 2012 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 17 Oct 2014
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Pediatric cerebral malaria (CM) affects more than 3 million children each year killing ~20% and leaving one third of survivors with long term neurologic and psychiatric sequelae. Seizures occur commonly with CM and are associated with an increased risk of death and neuropsychiatric disabilities. In this Malawi-based, dose- escalation, safety and feasibility study of enteral levetiracetam in pediatric CM, the investigators will lay the groundwork for future efficacy studies aimed at improving seizure control and ultimately decreasing the neurologic morbidity of pediatric CM.
Detailed description
Cerebral malaria (CM) affects ~3 million children each year, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Antimalarial medications can rapidly clear P. falciparum parasites, but mortality rates remain high (12-25%). Survivors do not escape unscathed--~30% experience neurologic sequelae including epilepsy, behavioral disorders and gross neurologic deficits. Acute seizures occur commonly in CM and are associated with higher neurologic morbidity and mortality. Seizure management in malaria endemic regions is challenging because the available antiepileptic drugs (AED) induce respiratory suppression and assisted ventilation is unavailable. More optimal seizure control may improve neurologic outcomes in pediatric CM survivors, especially if the medication used is affordable and can be delivered safely and easily in resource limited settings. The investigators propose to conduct a dose- escalation, safety and feasibility study of enteral levetiracetam (LVT) for seizure control in children with CM and seizures admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Enteral LVT given via nasogastric tube (NGT) rather than an intravenous (IV) formulation will be used since LVT has excellent enteral bioavailability and IV formations are not affordable in most malaria-endemic regions. LVT will be escalated based upon efficacy and toxicity endpoints with efficacy defined as seizure freedom in 75% of children during the 24 hours post LVT administration. Generally, only ~20% of children admitted with CM and seizures who receive standard AED treatment remain seizure free during the first 24 hours after admission. Safety assessments will include monitoring for problems related to NGT placement and medication delivery, laboratory parameters at 24 hours and 7 days post LVT, and overall case fatality rates. If efficacy endpoints are not met but enteral LVT is otherwise tolerated, LVT doses of ~3 times the standard dose used for other seizure-related conditions will be assessed. Pharmacokinetic (Pk) data on the absorption and elimination of LVT in CM will be obtained since enteral formulations are not typically used in critically ill children and malaria has been shown to impact drug absorption and elimination for some other medications. The safety, feasibility, Pk, optimal dosing and preliminary efficacy data from this proposed work will provide the information needed to determine whether to proceed with a randomized clinical trial of LVT in pediatric CM patients which would include acute seizure control as well as long term neurologic outcomes as critical endpoints. Since enteral LVT is relatively affordable for short-term use and could be feasibly delivered in resource limited settings, this therapy could potentially be scaled up for broad use throughout malaria endemic African countries
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| LEVETIRACETAM | Other | Drug: LEVETIRACETAMOpen label, dose escalation to optimal dose. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 2 to 6 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Comatose with Blantyre Comas Score ≤ 3
- P. falciparum parasitemia
- Active seizure
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Serum creatinine > 2mg/dL
- Pre-admission/concomitant treatment with antiretroviral medications for HIV (ARVs), antituberculous treatments(ATTs), or chronic use of any other enzyme-inducing medications
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| LEVETIRACETAMAlso: Keppraliquid, 40 mg/kg loading dose and 30mg/kg every 12 hours via nasogastric tube for 3 days--this is standard dose. If primary outcome is not reached, dose escalation to 150, 225, and 300% standard, as needed, will be conducted. | Drug | LEVETIRACETAM |
Primary outcome
Freedom From Seizure
Time frame: 24 hours
Number of subjects free of seizure at 24 hours after initiation of treatment
2 secondary outcomes
Toxicity Related to LVT
Time frame: 1 week
Range of Plasma Concentration of LVT Across All Individuals
Time frame: 72 hours
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Sep 2016.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 31672143Birbeck GL, Herman ST, Capparelli EV, Dzinjalamala FK, Abdel Baki SG, Mallewa M, Toto NM, Postels DG, Gardiner JC, Taylor TE, Seydel KB. A clinical trial of enteral Levetiracetam for acute seizures in pediatric cerebral malaria. BMC Pediatr. 2019 Nov 1;19(1):399. doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1766-2.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Gretchen L Birbeck, M.D. principal investigator
University of Rochester
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1/2 study testing LEVETIRACETAM in people with Seizure and Epilepsy, run by University of Rochester at 1 site in Malawi.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Sep 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Malawi. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this combined phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 17 Oct 2014). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Freedom From Seizure (time frame: 24 hours). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01660672, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Sep 2016; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.