Hackensack University Medical Center and Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital Enrolling Epilepsy Patients in a Range of Clinical Trials

A range of studies will evaluate improved treatments for different types of epilepsy

Hackensack University Medical Center and Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital are enrolling adult and pediatric patients with epilepsy in clinical trials of innovative new treatment approaches. Patients have access to a range of studies for children and adults with different types of epilepsy, including partial onset and tonic-clonic seizures as well as epilepsy associated with other diseases like tuberous sclerosis and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 470,000 children in the United States have epilepsy — a disorder of the brain that causes seizures. These seizures can greatly impact quality of life, interfering with learning and development in childhood.

Medications to control seizures are the mainstay of treatment, but in many patients the seizures continue to occur and better therapies are needed. The clinical trials at Hackensack University Medical Center are evaluating potentially more effective antiseizure medications for children, teens, and adults of all ages with epilepsy.

The studies are being led by pediatric neurologist Eric Ségal, MD, and adult neurologist Asfi Rafiuddin, DO. “We are committed to providing the highest level of care to our young patients with epilepsy, including access to innovative and potentially more effective treatments,” noted Dr. Ségal, co-chief of Epilepsy at Joseph M. Sanzari.

Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health offers advanced care in the treatment of epilepsy at both its hospitals – Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Joseph M. Sanzari has an accredited Level IV Epilepsy Center, the highest designation given by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.

The following studies are currently enrolling pediatric patients:

Children

• A phase 1, open-label pharmacokinetic dose-escalation study of cenobamate (YKP3089) in pediatric patients with partial-onset seizures: enrolling patients ages 4-11
• Open-label safety and effectiveness study of cenobamate (YKP3089) in pediatric patients with partial-onset (focal) seizures: enrolling patients ages 12 to 17

Adults and Children

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cenobamate as adjunctive therapy in patients with primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures: enrolling patients ages 12 to 60
• A multicenter open-label extension study to evaluate the long-term safety of cenobamate as adjunctive therapy in patients with primary generalized tonic clonic seizures: enrolling patients ages 12 to 60
• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the effectiveness and safety of carisbamate (YKP509) as adjunctive treatment for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in children and adults, with optional open-label extension: enrolling patients ages 4-55
• A phase 3, double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of adjunctive ganaxolone (GNX) treatment in children and adults with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-related epilepsy (TRUSTTSC): enrolling patients age 1 to 65

Learn more about our advancements in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.