Identifying blood biomarkers for predicting recovery in severe Bell's palsy

Screening for Prognostic Biomarkers of Severe Bell's Palsy in Adults Using Proteomic Analysis by Quantitative Mass Spectroscopy

Observational University Hospital, Montpellier · NCT05582915

This study is trying to find blood markers that can help predict how well adults with severe Bell's palsy will recover.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment130 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Montpellier Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsprednisone
Locations1 site (Montpellier)
Trial IDNCT05582915 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to identify prognostic blood biomarkers that can predict recovery patterns in adults suffering from severe Bell's palsy. The research focuses on patients with a House-Brackmann score of IV or higher, who have developed the condition within 5 to 15 days prior to enrollment. By analyzing blood samples, the study seeks to improve the understanding of recovery outcomes and potentially guide treatment decisions, such as the need for surgical intervention. The study is conducted at the University Hospital in Montpellier.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older with severe Bell's palsy diagnosed within 5 to 15 days.

Not a fit: Patients with facial palsy due to other underlying conditions or those contraindicated for standard treatments will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better prediction of recovery outcomes for patients with severe Bell's palsy, potentially reducing unnecessary surgical interventions.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on Bell's palsy, the specific approach of identifying blood biomarkers for prognostic purposes is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Severe Bell's palsy (House-Brackmann more or equal to IV)
* Disease developed between 5 and 15 days before V0 (after initial corticotherapy)
* 18 years and older

Exclusion Criteria:

* Facial palsy (central or peripheral) of a following cause suspected at V0:

Diabetes, syphilis, HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection, Lyme disease, herpes zoster infection of the geniculate ganglion; Inflammatory or immune pathology, acute or chronic; Intracranial, parotid or facial nerve tumor; Craniofacial injury; Other peripheral neuropathy

* Anti-inflammatoty, immunomodulating, immunosuppressive treatment
* Contraindications for an MRI scan
* Contraindications for a standard medical treatment: prednisone 1 mg per kg a day during 5 days and valaciclovir 3 g a day during 7 days
* Contraindications for or an impossibility of facial physiotheraphy (2 times per week along with everyday self-theraphy)
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Participation to another interventional study
* Patient unaffiliated to French Social Security regime
* Patients' refusal to consent to participation in the study
* Person prived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision
* Person protected by law (under guardianship or curatorship)
* Person not able to understand the nature, the aim and the methodology of the study

Where this trial is running

Montpellier

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Bell PalsyBell's palsyProteomicsBiomarkersMass spectroscopyPrognosis
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.