Non-helium magnetoencephalography to find seizure sources in children with refractory epilepsy
Official title: Non-Helium Magnetoencephalography for Clinical Management of Refractory Epilepsy in Children: An Observational Cohort Study
Run by Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center · NCT07064421 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether non-helium magnetoencephalography (MEG) can help find the seizure source before surgery in children ages 3–18 whose epilepsy does not respond to medicines.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 3 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 5, 2024 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 14, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07064421 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 3–18 with clinically diagnosed refractory epilepsy who are candidates for presurgical evaluation and can cooperate with MEG recording are the ideal candidates for this protocol.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are not surgical candidates, who have progressive neurological disease, severe comorbidities, or cannot cooperate with MEG are unlikely to benefit from participation.
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 compares non-helium MEG with invasive recordings (SEEG/ECoG) in children aged 3–18 being considered for epilepsy surgery. Participants are assigned to a case group receiving both MEG and SEEG/ECoG and a control group receiving SEEG/ECoG alone, with clinical care and surgical decisions following standard practice. Investigators will compare how often MEG and SEEG/ECoG localize the same epileptic focus and will follow seizure control, neurological function, and quality of life at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The aim is to determine whether non-helium MEG provides consistent, clinically useful preoperative localization information.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, non-helium MEG could improve surgical targeting and potentially reduce reliance on invasive monitoring, leading to better seizure control and fewer procedure-related risks.
How similar studies have gone: Conventional MEG has been used successfully to localize epileptic foci in prior studies, while non-helium (next-generation) MEG systems are newer and have more limited direct validation against SEEG/ECoG.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age range: 3-18 years old; 2. Clinically diagnosed with refractory epilepsy; 3. Capable of cooperating with magnetoencephalography evaluation and recording. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with serious comorbidities or neurological or psychiatric disorders that affect magnetoencephalography examination. 2. Patients using drugs that affect central nervous system function; 3. Patients who are not suitable for surgical procedures; 4. Patients with progressive neurological disorders.
Where it's running
-
Guangzhou Women and Children's medical center
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ye Song, Medical Doctor
- Email: 15625984282@163.com
- Phone: +86-020-81886332
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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.