Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Poorly Controlled Partial Epilepsy

You may be eligible if

• Age 5 to 60 at entry to protocol.
• History of partial or Complex Partial Epilepsy for two or more years.
• Patients should be on a stable anti-convulsant regimen defined as unchanged medicines and dose modifications lower than 20% in the last month. Blood levels of anti-convulsants will be measured at the beginning of the study, prior to stimulation and after the study to assure that the type and dose of medication will remain constant.
• Seizures not completely responsive to medical treatment (1 or more seizures per week for at least 6 months) and patients have failed at least two anti-convulsant regimens in the past.
• The patients have a localized seizure focus.
• Epilepsy refractory to medical treatments.
• No pregnant women (will be tested with urine pregnancy test).
• No severe coronary disease.
• No metal anywhere in the cranium except the mouth.
• No intracardiac lines.
• No increased intracranial pressure as expressed by the presence of papilledema.
• No cardiac pacemakers.
• Must not be taking neuroleptic or antidepressant medications.
• No progressive neurologic disease.