Ketamine Add-On for Established Status Epilepticus Treatment
Official title: Ketamine Add-On for Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (KESETT)
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11262172 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A big government-funded study will test if adding ketamine to standard seizure treatment helps more patients recover from a dangerous brain emergency.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $5,668,197 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3NS131532-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11262172 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with established status epilepticus after benzodiazepines fail, across adult and pediatric populations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have status epilepticus after benzodiazepine failure or who cannot receive ketamine for medical reasons may not benefit.
What this research studies
This trial tests whether giving ketamine alongside the usual levetiracetam after benzodiazepines fail can stop status epilepticus more effectively. It is a phase III, randomized, double-blind study enrolling both children and adults to compare two ketamine dosing strategies with levetiracetam alone. If successful, ketamine could become a standard addition to treatment for established status epilepticus, potentially reducing brain injury and other complications. The study builds on prior evidence and aims to provide clear guidance on safety and efficacy in a diverse patient group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If ketamine proves more effective, patients may experience faster seizure control and better neurological outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior small studies suggest ketamine can terminate refractory seizures, supporting this larger trial's approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kapur, Jaideep — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Kapur, Jaideep
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using ketamine to improve treatment for severe seizures
This study is looking at whether adding ketamine to the usual treatment of levetiracetam can help people with severe seizures called status epilepticus when their current treatments aren't working.
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ARISEN Network: Better Diagnosis and Treatment for Autoimmune Brain Inflammation in Children
A large team at Emory is building ways to diagnose autoimmune brain inflammation in kids earlier and tailor treatments to improve outcomes.
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ARISEN Network: Patient-centered outcomes in autoimmune brain inflammation and status epilepticus
A nationwide registry study from Emory will collect patient- and caregiver-reported outcomes to understand how neuroinflammatory brain diseases affect people and what helps them most.
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ARISEN: A regional network to understand autoimmune brain diseases in kids
A national, multi-center effort follows children with autoimmune brain diseases to better understand how their condition progresses and how it affects thinking and everyday life.
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.