Alexithymia and emotional dysregulation in children with epilepsy
Official title: ALESSITIMIA E DISREGOLAZIONE EMOTIVA IN UNA COORTE DI PAZIENTI EPILETTICI PEDIATRICI //Alexithymia and Emotional Dysregulation in a Cohort of Pediatric Patients With Epilepsy
Run by Istituto Giannina Gaslini · NCT07879976 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how alexithymia and emotional regulation relate to epilepsy in kids aged 10–18 and compares them with healthy peers.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 10 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Istituto Giannina Gaslini Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Alessandria and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 9, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 2027 |
| Study ends | July 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 19, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07879976 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are 10–18-year-olds diagnosed with SeLFE or IGE, on stable medication, and with informed consent from a parent or guardian.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants with intellectual disability, neurodevelopmental comorbidities, structural brain MRI abnormalities, or lack of informed consent may not benefit from the study results.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study will evaluate alexithymia, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning, empathic abilities, and quality of life in children and adolescents with self-limited focal epilepsy (SeLFE) or idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Participants will be 10–18 years old with stable treatment, and results will be compared to healthy controls to identify differences in emotional and psychological functioning. No interventional treatment is described, and the study will rely on neuropsychological assessments and questionnaires. Data from this study may inform how emotional health is addressed in pediatric epilepsy care. The lead institution is Istituto Giannina Gaslini in collaboration with the Alessandria site, with no additional collaborators listed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could highlight emotional health targets to improve quality of life for children with epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests emotional and cognitive factors can differ in pediatric epilepsy, but direct studies in SeLFE and IGE with matched controls are limited, making this study relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 10 and 18 years. * Diagnosis of self-limited focal epilepsy (SeLFE) or idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) * Written informed consent provided by parents or legal guardians. * Stable pharmacological treatment throughout the neuropsychological assessment period. Exclusion Criteria: * Known diagnosis of intellectual disability or borderline cognitive functioning (full-scale IQ \< 85). * Known comorbidity with a neurodevelopmental disorder. * Structural abnormalities detected on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). * Drug-resistant epilepsy (Kwan et al., 2010). * Absence of informed consent to participate in the study.
Where it's running
-
Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Alessandria Santi Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo
Alessandria, Italy Recruiting -
IRCCS Giannina Gaslini
Genova, Italy Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Thea Giacomini, MD
- Email: neuropsichiatria@gaslini.org
- Phone: +39 010 56362432
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.