Using ketamine to improve treatment for severe seizures
Ketamine Add-On for Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (KESETT)
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.
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 ID | NIH-10983488 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of adding ketamine to the standard treatment of levetiracetam for patients experiencing status epilepticus, a severe and potentially life-threatening seizure condition. The trial will involve a randomized, double-blind approach, where participants will receive either the combination of ketamine and levetiracetam or levetiracetam alone after initial treatments have failed. By examining the outcomes, the research aims to determine if ketamine can enhance seizure control and reduce the risk of complications associated with prolonged seizures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals of all ages who are experiencing established status epilepticus and have not responded to benzodiazepine treatment.
Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing status epilepticus or those who have not failed benzodiazepine therapy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment option for patients suffering from status epilepticus, potentially reducing the risk of brain damage and improving recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with ketamine in treating status epilepticus, indicating that this approach has potential based on existing clinical evidence.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kapur, Jaideep — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Kapur, Jaideep
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 below.