Exercise to promote brain regeneration in epilepsy patients
Regenerating the Adult Human Brain Through Exercise
This study tests if a 12-week exercise program can help improve brain health and thinking skills in people with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Southern California Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT05179083 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of an exercise program on neurogenesis and cognitive improvement in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Participants will be randomly assigned to either a high-impact or low-impact aerobic exercise group for 12 weeks, with exercise conducted at home under supervision. The study aims to assess the feasibility of exercise as a regenerative intervention and its potential benefits on seizure frequency and cognitive abilities. Following the exercise program, surgically resected tissue will be analyzed to evaluate neurogenesis and brain repair.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 65 with medically resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy who are eligible for surgical treatment.
Not a fit: Patients over 65 years old, pregnant, or with physical or cognitive disabilities that prevent participation in the exercise program may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a novel non-pharmacological approach to enhance cognitive function and reduce seizure activity in epilepsy patients.
How similar studies have performed: While exercise has shown promise in animal models for enhancing neurogenesis, this approach in human epilepsy patients is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age of 18 years or older * Medically resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy * Candidacy for standard or selective temporal lobectomy Exclusion Criteria: * Age of older than 65 years * Pregnancy * Physical disabilities or medical conditions preventing from participation in exercise program * Inability to receive exercise equipment at home * Cognitive/developmental disabilities restricting the participation in exercise program
Where this trial is running
Los Angeles, California
- University of Southern California Department of Neurosurgery — Los Angeles, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jonathan J Russin, MD — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Jonathan J Russin, MD
- Email: Jonathan.Russin@med.usc.edu
- Phone: 800-872-2273
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.