Epilepsy affects over 600,000 people in the UK — roughly 1 in every 100. While many achieve seizure control with medication, around 30% have drug-resistant epilepsy that does not respond to current treatments. Clinical trials are driving advances in antiepileptic drugs, neurostimulation devices, cannabinoid medicine, gene therapy, and precision surgical approaches. Here is what is actively recruiting in the UK right now.
The UK has a strong epilepsy research community, with dedicated epilepsy centres in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Birmingham. The Epilepsy Research Institute UK and NIHR support a pipeline of clinical trials from Phase 1 through Phase 4.
Currently there are over 140 actively recruiting epilepsy trials in the UK. The largest growth areas are neurostimulation, gene therapy for rare epilepsy syndromes, and precision medicine approaches matching treatments to genetic profiles.
Novel Antiepileptic Drug Trials
Despite having over 30 approved antiepileptic drugs, the need for new treatments remains urgent. Current drug trials focus on:
Novel mechanisms of action — targeting synaptic vesicle proteins, potassium channels, and metabolic pathways that existing drugs do not address
Improved formulations — once-daily extended-release versions, liquid formulations for children, and intranasal rescue medications for seizure clusters
Combination therapy optimisation — rational polytherapy trials that test which drug combinations work best together
Focal epilepsy — new agents specifically for focal-onset seizures, the most common seizure type
Generalised epilepsy — treatments for idiopathic generalised epilepsy and absence seizures
Neurostimulation Devices
Neurostimulation is a major growth area, particularly for drug-resistant epilepsy patients who are not candidates for resective surgery:
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
Next-generation VNS devices with closed-loop sensing that detect seizure activity and automatically adjust stimulation. Some trials combine VNS with medication changes.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Targeting the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT-DBS). UK trials are exploring new targets, adaptive stimulation protocols, and long-term outcomes.
Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS)
Implanted devices that detect abnormal brain activity and deliver targeted electrical pulses to stop seizures before they spread. Expanding beyond focal epilepsy.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Non-invasive brain stimulation using magnetic fields. Being studied as both a treatment and a diagnostic tool for mapping seizure networks.
Cannabis-Based Medicine Trials
The UK has been at the forefront of cannabis-based epilepsy research, building on the evidence for CBD in severe childhood epilepsies:
Purified CBD (cannabidiol) — ongoing studies in Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndrome, plus expansion into other epilepsy types
CBD-THC combinations — exploring whether carefully calibrated ratios of CBD and THC offer additional seizure control
Other cannabinoids — cannabidivarin (CBDV) and cannabigerol (CBG) being studied for their anticonvulsant properties
Adult epilepsy — extending cannabis-based medicine research beyond paediatric populations into adult focal epilepsy
Gene Therapy for Epilepsy
Gene therapy is perhaps the most transformative frontier in epilepsy research. UK trials include:
AAV gene therapy — delivering genes that produce inhibitory neurotransmitters or reduce excitability in seizure-prone brain regions
CRISPR-based approaches — correcting disease-causing mutations in specific epilepsy syndromes
RNA interference — silencing overactive genes that contribute to seizure generation
Gene therapy for Dravet syndrome — targeting the SCN1A gene mutation that causes this severe childhood epilepsy
Most gene therapy trials are early-phase and focused on specific genetic epilepsy syndromes where the underlying mutation is known.
Surgical and Interventional Trials
Surgical trials aim to improve outcomes for patients undergoing epilepsy surgery or to offer minimally invasive alternatives:
Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) — MRI-guided laser ablation of seizure-causing brain tissue, less invasive than open surgery
Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) — improving the precision of seizure localisation before surgery
Improved surgical planning — using AI and advanced imaging to better map seizure networks
Post-surgical outcomes — long-term studies on cognitive outcomes after temporal lobe surgery
Paediatric Epilepsy Trials
Children are disproportionately affected by severe epilepsy syndromes. UK paediatric trials include:
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome — new drug combinations and dietary therapies
Infantile spasms — improved treatment protocols for this devastating epilepsy of infancy
Ketogenic diet variants — modified Atkins diet and low glycaemic index treatments as alternatives to the classic ketogenic diet
Neurodevelopmental outcomes — tracking cognitive and behavioural outcomes alongside seizure control
Rare Epilepsy Syndrome Studies
UK centres participate in international trials for rare epilepsy syndromes, including:
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) — everolimus and novel mTOR inhibitors
CDKL5 deficiency disorder — gene therapy and targeted treatments
PCDH19 clustering epilepsy — understanding and treating this X-linked condition
Ring chromosome 20 syndrome — a rare but distinctive epilepsy syndrome with ongoing research
Who Can Participate?
Eligibility for epilepsy trials varies widely. Common requirements include:
Confirmed epilepsy diagnosis with documented seizure types
EEG and MRI results available for review
Seizure diary data — many trials require a minimum number of seizures per month
Current antiepileptic medication record
For drug trials: stable on current medication for at least 4 weeks
For surgical trials: drug-resistant epilepsy (failed ≥2 appropriate antiepileptic drugs)
For gene therapy: confirmed genetic mutation relevant to the trial
💡 Keep a Seizure Diary
Most epilepsy trials require documentation of your seizure frequency. Use a seizure diary app (or paper diary) for at least 3 months before applying for trials. Record seizure type, duration, time of day, and any triggers. This data is essential for determining eligibility.
UK Trial Centres
Major UK epilepsy trial centres include:
London — UCLH National Hospital for Neurology, King's College Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital (paediatric)
Liverpool — The Walton Centre (dedicated neuroscience hospital)
Manchester — Salford Royal, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Edinburgh — Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Birmingham — Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham Children's Hospital
Glasgow — Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Bristol — North Bristol NHS Trust
Cardiff — University Hospital of Wales
How to Find Your Match
Our Smart Matcher can help you find epilepsy trials tailored to your seizure types, current medications, and treatment history. For rare syndromes, you can also search by genetic diagnosis.
Find Epilepsy Trials For You
Our Smart Matcher uses your seizure type, treatment history, and genetic results to find the most relevant clinical trials.