Improving Treatment for Neonatal Seizures with Levetiracetam
Official title: NEOLEV3: A Phase IIb Dose Escalation Study of Levetiracetam in the Treatment of Neonatal Seizures of Mild to Moderate Severity IND-109622 (September 6, 2020)
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11161159 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to find the best dose of a medication called Levetiracetam to help babies who have mild to moderate seizures shortly after birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $703,432 |
| NIH project number | 5R01FD006335-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11161159 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are newborns experiencing mild to moderate seizures shortly after birth.
✕Less likely to help
Infants without seizures or those with very severe seizures that require different immediate interventions may not directly benefit from this specific dose escalation.
What this research studies
Neonatal seizures affect many infants, and survivors often face long-term disabilities like cerebral palsy and developmental delays. Current treatments like phenobarbital can control seizures but may cause unwanted side effects such as breathing problems or sedation, and there are concerns about long-term brain development. This project is testing a different medication, Levetiracetam, which has shown fewer side effects, to see if a higher dose can safely and effectively reduce seizures in babies. The goal is to find a better, gentler way to treat these seizures, especially for those with mild to moderate severity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a safer and more effective treatment option for newborns experiencing seizures, potentially improving their long-term brain development.
How similar studies have gone: A previous clinical trial (NEOLEV2) compared Levetiracetam to phenobarbital, showing phenobarbital had greater seizure control but also more acute side effects, indicating a need to refine Levetiracetam's use.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Sonya Grace — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Wang, Sonya Grace
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.