Brain connectivity with infantile spasms

Researchers are studying why some children experience infantile spasms and how a treatment therapy affects brain connectivity.

Infants and young children with infantile spasms (IS) can experience tens to hundreds of seizures a day. Few treatment options are available, and the most common is adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The sooner the spasms are diagnosed and treated the better the chances the spasms will stop. When there is a delay in diagnosis or treatment, affected children are more likely to develop other types of seizures that are difficult to control and experience developmental delay.

“This study may allow us to understand why some children experience infantile spasms and what the process behind this type of seizure is, as well as better understanding how adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)works to correct this process,” said Sarah Weatherspoon, MD.

The researchers will use magnetoencephalogram (MEG) to study functional brain connectivity and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study structural brain connectivity in these children before and after ACTH treatment. Researchers will assess if there is abnormal brain connectivity on MEG and MRI before starting treatment. The team will also evaluate whether those children whose seizures stop with ACTH will show normalized brain connectivity after finishing a course of treatment.

The study is funded by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.