Treatments for Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (NES)

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2009-06-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The investigators propose that treatment of the comorbid disorders (depression, anxiety, and impulsivity) with sertraline in patients with lone psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (NES), will result in a decreased number of NES. The purpose of this study is to provide pilot testing and data to inform the future randomized controlled trial based on the hypothesis.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Rhode Island Hospital
• Collaborator: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• Treatments: Sertraline

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Video electroencephalogram (vEEG) confirmed diagnosis of NES

• Have at least one nonepileptic seizure per month

• Comorbid diagnosis of either depression, anxiety, or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Able to complete self report symptom scales

• Not receiving optimized antidepressant medication

Exclusion Criteria:

• Equivocal electroencephalogram (EEG) findings

• Current suicidality, litigation, or self-mutilation

• Using monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), pimozide, or sumatriptan

• Allergy/sensitivity to sertraline

• Current alcohol/drug dependence

• Serious medical illness requiring current hospitalization