ESNJ_868x432

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ESNJ_868x432

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Epilepsy Research Study

Study Details

Timeframe
April 2026

Location
Epilepsy Services of New Jersey
50 Millstone Road
Building 300, Suite 201, East Windsor, NJ

Contact
Olivia Gordon
Director of Public Health Programs 

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*Participation is completely voluntary*

*Selected child-caregiver pairs will receive a $400 stipend for their time and travel*

Call for Participants: Pediatric Epilepsy Research Study in New Jersey

Epilepsy Services of New Jersey is seeking parents and children ages 4 to 12 to participate in a pediatric epilepsy research study evaluating the Eysz HV Home Recorder, an investigational seizure monitoring tool. This usability and safety study includes children with confirmed Childhood Absence Epilepsy as well as children with no seizure history. Participation involves a single in-person visit and includes compensation for time and travel.

Who is eligible to participate?

  • Epilepsy Services of New Jersey is recruiting child-caregiver pairs with children between ages 4-12 years of age
  • Child must have confirmed Childhood Absence Epilepsy
  • See participant criteria for more information

What is this study for?

  • Child-caregiver pairs will complete a single visit of about two hours at Epilepsy Services of New Jersey
  • During the visit, there will be seizure training and training on the use of the Eysz HV Recorder, which guides child through hyperventilation (rapid deep breathing)
  • Child will use the Recorder for five minutes, and both caregiver and child will be observed and given follow-up questions about the tool

Eligibility Criteria:

For children with Childhood Absence Epilepsy

  • Seizure Onset: Between 4-12
  • Absence seizures: Multiple per day at onset
  • Abrupt Onset and Offset:
    • No Aura: The child has no warning before the seizure.
    • No Post-Ictal State: There is no confusion or drowsiness afterward; the child resumes activity immediately. This distinguishes CAE from Focal Impaired Awareness seizures (which usually cause post-seizure confusion).
  • Brief Duration: Events are very short, typically lasting 5 to 30 seconds
  • Typical Development: Children with CAE typically have normal neurological and cognitive development, distinguishing it from epileptic encephalopathies like Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.

For children without Childhood Absence Epilepsy: We are looking for caregivers of children age 4-12 with minimal exposure to epilepsy (avoiding children with sibling with epilepsy for example).

This study involves periods of hyperventilation (rapid deep breathing). Children with contraindications for hyperventilation are not eligible for this study.

Hyperventilation (HV) Contraindications:

  • Sickle Cell Disease/Trait: High risk of inducing a sickle cell crisis or stroke.
  • Moyamoya Disease: Risk of ischemic stroke due to constriction of already fragile vessels.
  • Recent Stroke or TIA: Any history of stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack within the last 12 months.
  • Intracranial Hemorrhage: Recent bleeding within the skull (e.g., subarachnoid hemorrhage).
  • Severe Cardiopulmonary Disease: Recent heart attack, unstable angina, or severe lung disease requiring oxygen.
  • Pregnancy: To avoid potential fetal distress (often avoided entirely).
  • Uncontrolled Hypertension: Severe high blood pressure.
  • Severe Asthma: Risk of triggering an attack due to rapid, dry breathing.