Phase II Randomized Study of Early Surgery Vs Multiple Sequential Antiepileptic Drug Therapy for Infantile Spasms Refractory to Standard Treatment

OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the efficacy of surgical resection of an identifiable zone of cortical abnormality versus multiple drug therapy in children with infantile spasms refractory to standard therapy. II. Assess how infantile spasms interfere with development and whether this is partially reversible. III. Determine the predictors of good surgical outcome and whether surgery permanently controls seizures and improves development.

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients are randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. The first group undergoes sequential antiepileptic therapy with pyridoxine, corticotropin, valproic acid, carbamazepine, and nitrazepam. The sequence of administration may be altered based on drugs taken prior to entry. Any drug may be omitted due to medical contraindications or prior use at study doses or higher. The second group undergoes surgical resection of the zone of cortical abnormality. A functional hemispherectomy is performed for hemiparesis or diffuse unihemispheric dysfunction. If seizures are controlled in the first group at 3 months, the current medication is maintained; if seizures are not controlled, sequential therapy continues to completion. Patients experiencing uncontrolled seizures at 6 months cross to surgery. Surgical patients experiencing uncontrolled seizures at 3 months or persistent seizures after taper of pre-study antiepileptics cross to drug therapy. All patients are followed at 6 months and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years.