CADET Trial: Advancing deep brain stimulation for rare childhood epilepsy
We’ve partnered with GOSH Charity to fund an innovative clinical trial exploring deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a potential treatment for children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), a severe and drug-resistant form of epilepsy.
Overview
Through a joint funding scheme with GOSH Charity, we’re providing funding to support the CADET trial. CADET will investigate the effectiveness of DBS to reduce the frequency of seizures in children living with LGS, a condition that severely impacts quality of life and brain development.
About the CADET trial
The CADET Trial (Children’s Adaptive Deep brain stimulation for Epilepsy Trial) is the first study of its kind in children with drug-resistant LGS. Led by Martin Tisdall, the trial will recruit 22 children aged 5 to 14 years who will undergo surgery to implant a state-of-the-art DBS device designed specifically for paediatric patients.
Participants are randomised (1:1) and double-blinded to receive either active stimulation (‘on’) or no stimulation (‘off’) for 3 months, followed by 6 months of active stimulation for all. Researchers will compare seizure frequency before and after treatment, while also assessing safety, quality of life, and learning outcomes. This trial follows the CADET Pilot study, which enrolled 4 patients to test the safety and feasibility of this approach for treating LGS.
Since their procedure, the first patient enrolled on the trial has experienced an 80% decrease in daytime seizures and experienced a significant improvement in quality-of-life. This pioneering study could pave the way for DBS as a viable treatment option for children with severe epilepsy, offering hope where current medications fall short.
About Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a rare and severe type of epilepsy that typically begins between the ages of 3 and 5. Children with LGS experience multiple seizure types, often daily, and the condition is highly resistant to standard anti-seizure medications. Frequent seizures can significantly affect brain development, learning, and overall quality of life.
Current treatment options are limited, leaving families with few effective solutions. The CADET Trial aims to change that by exploring DBS, a therapy that has shown promise in adults but remains untested in children.
