AzTrials
AzTrials

Epileptic Encephalopathy, Childhood-OnsetPhase 4NCT03779672

Memantine for Epileptic Encephalopathy

A Phase 4 study testing Memantine Hydrochloride 10 mg in people with Epileptic Encephalopathy, Childhood-Onset, run by Kenneth Myers, MD at 1 site in Canada.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This study will evaluate the potential benefit of memantine hydrochloride as treatment for children with epileptic encephalopathy using a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 18 years
What is being tested?
Memantine Hydrochloride 10 mg
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteCanada
Study dates
7 Feb 2019to 8 Feb 2022
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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 6 to 18 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Written informed consent obtained
  • Age 6-18 years (Weight ≥ 20 kg)
  • Clinical diagnosis of epileptic encephalopathy
  • Subject with epilepsy and developmental impairment;
  • Epileptic activity itself contributes to severe cognitive and behavioural impairments
  • Patients will typically have already have trialed at least two standard therapies
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Females of childbearing age:
  • Negative urinary pregnancy test at screening
  • Agree to use effective contraception for the duration of the study

Who cannot join

  • Inability of a parent or legal guardian to give informed consent for any reason.
  • Known hypersensitivity to memantine hydrochloride
  • Taking concomitant Amantadine, Ketamine or Dextromethorphan, Cimetidine, Ranitidine, Procainamide, Quinidine, Quinine, Hydrochlorothiazide, Anticholinergics, L-dopa, Anticoagulant,
  • Any degree of renal impairment

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Canada1 site
  • Children Hospital - MUHC

    Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial of Memantine Hydrochloride for the Treatment of Childhood-onset Epileptic Encephalopathies

This study will evaluate the potential benefit of memantine hydrochloride as treatment for children with epileptic encephalopathy using a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design.

Read the detailed description

Memantine, a drug approved for Alzheimer's dementia, exerts its therapeutic effect through its action as a low to moderate affinity non-competitive (open channel) N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) antagonist, which binds preferentially to the NMDA receptor-operated cation channels. It blocks the effects of persistently elevated levels of glutamate that may lead to neuronal dysfunction. Memantine may also have anti-inflammatory effects. Memantine has been used off-label in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, to improve the cognitive impairment.

Epileptic encephalopathy, as well as other forms of epilepsy, may occur as a result of multiple etiologies, including genetic and inflammatory pathologies. Ion channels were long considered to be implicated in genetic epilepsy. Indeed one of the many possible causes of epilepsy is NMDA receptor dysfunction.

In the present study, the investigators plan to investigate the potential benefit of memantine as a treatment for epileptic encephalopathy. A double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design will be used, with participants receiving 6 weeks of memantine and 6 weeks of placebo, with a 2-week washout period in between.

Being tested
Memantine Hydrochloride 10 mg
Keywords
Memantine, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, Serum inflammatory, Seizure
Medical subject headings
Seizures

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Memantine Hydrochloride 10 mgDrug

    Also called PrSANDOZ MEMANTINE FCT10 mg Drug Identification Number (DIN) 02375532

    • Week #1: 5 mg id (am), 1 caps
    • Week #2: 5 mg bid (am and pm), 2 caps
    • Weeks #3-6: 5 mg am \& 2x 5 mg pm, 3 caps
    • Weeks #7-8: Washout

    Placebo

    • Week #9: id (am), 1 caps
    • Week #10: bid (am and pm), 2 caps
    • Weeks #11-14: 1 caps am \& 2 caps pm, 3 caps

    OR Placebo

    • Week #1: id (am), 1 caps
    • Week #2: bid (am and pm), 2 caps
    • Weeks #3-6: 1 caps am \& 2 caps pm, 3 caps
    • Weeks #7-8: Washout

    Memantine

    • Week #9: 5 mg id (am), 1 caps
    • Week #10: 5 mg bid (am and pm), 2 caps
    • Weeks #11-14: 5 mg am \& 2x 5 mg pm, 3 caps
Study groups in NCT03779672
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Memantine Hydrochloride 10 mg PlaceboActive comparatorBlue colour capsules, for oral administration, containing 5 mg of active memantine or matching placebo for oral administration. Dose regimen: Memantine Hydrochloride * Week #1: 5 mg id (am), 1 caps * Week #2: 5 mg bid (am and pm), 2 caps * Weeks #3-6: 5 mg am \& 2x 5 mg pm, 3 caps Washout (Weeks #7-8) Placebo * Week #9: id (am), 1 caps * Week #10: bid (am and pm), 2 caps * Weeks #11-14: 1 caps am \& 2 caps pm, 3 caps
Receives: Drug: Memantine Hydrochloride 10 mg
Placebo Memantine Hydrochloride 10 mgPlacebo comparatorPlacebo * Week #1: id (am), 1 caps * Week #2: bid (am and pm), 2 caps * Weeks #3-6: 1 caps am \& 2 caps pm, 3 caps Washout (Weeks #7-8) Memantine Hydrochloride * Week #9: 5 mg id (am), 1 caps * Week #10: 5 mg bid (am and pm), 2 caps * Weeks #11-14: 5 mg am \& 2x 5 mg pm, 3 caps
Receives: Drug: Memantine Hydrochloride 10 mg

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Rate of Responder versus Non-Responder Status with Memantine

    "Responder" defined as having ≥ 2 of (1) EEG improvement, (2) decreased seizure frequency, (3) cognitive improvement, (4) caregiver impression of improvement, (5) Serum Inflammatory Markers Change. These outcomes are individually defined in detail in the secondary outcomes below.

    Description of the primary variable(s) The primary efficacy endpoint is the composite cluster of the first occurrence, over the duration of study (randomization to study end date inclusive), of the EE improvement.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

  2. Rate of Responder versus Non-Responder Status with Placebo

    "Responder" defined as having ≥ 2 of (1) EEG improvement, (2) decreased seizure frequency, (3) cognitive improvement, (4) caregiver impression of improvement, (5) Serum Inflammatory Markers Change. These outcomes are individually defined in detail in the secondary outcomes below.

    Description of the primary variable(s) The primary efficacy endpoint is the composite cluster of the first occurrence, over the duration of study (randomization to study end date inclusive), of the EE improvement.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

Secondary outcomes (10)
  1. EEG Change with Memantine

    EEG improvement EEG Change: EEG is not a quantitative measure, and there are many possible different patterns that may be seen in epileptic encephalopathy. In general, improvement usually involves (a) background activity changing to more closely resemble the expected background activity for the patient's age, and/or (b) decrease in frequency of epileptiform activity. The electroencephalographer will compare EEGs to the baseline study, and will score as (1) Interval worsening, (2) No significant change, or (3) Interval improvement.

    We will be assessing all the frequencies usually assessed on a routine EEG (delta, theta, alpha and beta). The frequency range assessed will be 1-70 Hz.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

  2. EEG Change with Placebo

    EEG Change: EEG is not a quantitative measure, and there are many possible different patterns that may be seen in epileptic encephalopathy. In general, improvement usually involves (a) background activity changing to more closely resemble the expected background activity for the patient's age, and/or (b) decrease in frequency of epileptiform activity. The electroencephalographer will compare EEGs to the baseline study, and will score as (1) Interval worsening, (2) No significant change, or (3) Interval improvement.

    EEG improvement We will be assessing all the frequencies usually assessed on a routine EEG (delta, theta, alpha and beta). The frequency range assessed will be 1-70 Hz.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

  3. Seizure Frequency Change with Memantine

    Reduction in seizure frequency Seizure Frequency Change: Participants will keep seizure diaries throughout the study. If the frequency of seizures decreases by > 50% from the baseline frequency, they will be classified as having a significant reduction in seizure frequency.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

  4. Seizure Frequency Change with Placebo

    Reduction in seizure frequency Seizure Frequency Change: Participants will keep seizure diaries throughout the study. If the frequency of seizures decreases by > 50% from the baseline frequency, they will be classified as having a significant reduction in seizure frequency.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

  5. Cognitive Function Change with Memantine

    Definite improvement in cognitive functioning by neuropsychological testing Cognitive Cognitive Function Change: Participants will see a neuropsychologist at baseline and at the conclusion of each treatment period. The precise testing used will be to the discretion of the neuropsychologist, based on the participant's cognitive capabilities. The neuropsychologist will compare to the baseline assessment and determine if there has been a significant change, based on her experience using these testing protocols in the given age range. The neuropsychologist will score as (1) Interval worsening, (2) No significant change, or (3) Interval improvement.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

  6. Cognitive Function Change with Placebo

    Definite improvement in cognitive functioning by neuropsychological testing Cognitive Cognitive Function Change: Participants will see a neuropsychologist at baseline and at the conclusion of each treatment period. The precise testing used will be to the discretion of the neuropsychologist, based on the participant's cognitive capabilities. The neuropsychologist will compare to the baseline assessment and determine if there has been a significant change, based on her experience using these testing protocols in the given age range. The neuropsychologist will score as (1) Interval worsening, (2) No significant change, or (3) Interval improvement.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

  7. Caregiver Impression of Change with Memantine

    Subjective perception of improvement by parents Caregiver Impression of Change: At the conclusion of each treatment period, caregivers will be asked the following question: "Compared to before the study, do you feel the overall functioning of your child (including seizure control, development and quality of life) is (1) Improved, (2) No Change, or (3) Worsened.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

  8. Caregiver Impression of Change with Placebo

    Subjective perception of improvement by parents Caregiver Impression of Change: At the conclusion of each treatment period, caregivers will be asked the following question: "Compared to before the study, do you feel the overall functioning of your child (including seizure control, development and quality of life) is (1) Improved, (2) No Change, or (3) Worsened.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

  9. Serum Inflammatory Markers Change with Memantine

    Changes in serum inflammation Serum inflammatory markers: C Reactive Protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). CRP and ESR are commonly-used clinical measures of inflammation, and IL-6 was found to be elevated in some epileptic encephalopathies in one study (van den Munckhof et al., 2016). Levels will be compared following each treatment period, to the baseline value.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

  10. Serum Inflammatory Markers Change with Placebo

    Changes in serum inflammation Serum inflammatory markers: C Reactive Protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). CRP and ESR are commonly-used clinical measures of inflammation, and IL-6 was found to be elevated in some epileptic encephalopathies in one study (van den Munckhof et al., 2016). Levels will be compared following each treatment period, to the baseline value.

    Measured: Week 6 or 14

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted19 Dec 2018
  2. Study start7 Feb 2019
  3. Primary completion8 Nov 2021
  4. Study completion8 Feb 2022

Resources

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 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
Monocentric, Off-Label Use, Randomized, crossover, Double-blinded Placebo vs Memantine.
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
30 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03779672
Sponsor's protocol ID
22838
Status last verified
Mar 2022
First submitted
5 Dec 2018
Last updated
11 Mar 2022
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • van den Munckhof B, de Vries EE, Braun KP, Boss HM, Willemsen MA, van Royen-Kerkhof A, de Jager W, Jansen FE. Serum inflammatory mediators correlate with disease activity in electrical status epilepticus in sleep (ESES) syndrome. Epilepsia. 2016 Feb;57(2):e45-50. doi: 10.1111/epi.13274. Epub 2015 Dec 14.

    PubMed 26666401
  • Schiller K, Berrahmoune S, Dassi C, Corriveau I, Ayash TA, Osterman B, Poulin C, Shevell MI, Simard-Tremblay E, Sebire G, Myers KA. Randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial of memantine in children with epileptic encephalopathy. Brain. 2023 Mar 1;146(3):873-879. doi: 10.1093/brain/awac380.

    PubMed 36256600

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Memantine Hydrochloride 10 mg in people with Epileptic Encephalopathy, Childhood-Onset, run by Kenneth Myers, MD at 1 site in Canada.

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 9 inclusion and 4 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 11 Mar 2022. 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 Canada. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

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?

Rate of Responder versus Non-Responder Status with Memantine (time frame: Week 6 or 14). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT03779672, which also lists 2 linked publications.

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 11 Mar 2022; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 27 Oct 2026.

Free account

Keep searching with a free account

You’ve used your 3 free searches for this session. Log in or create a free AzTrials account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in