A Clinical Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Zonisamide as a First Add-On Treatment in Epileptic Seizures

This study primarily focuses on zonisamide, a drug originally developed as an antiepileptic and now used as an adjunctive treatment for focal epilepsy. Focal epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical discharges in a specific area of the brain, which can lead to sudden loss of consciousness or muscle spasms. The main content of the study can be summarized as follows: 1. Research Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of zonisamide as an adjunctive treatment for focal epilepsy, especially for drug-resistant focal epilepsy. 2. Study Design: This is an open-label, observational study without a control group, planning to recruit 30 patients aged 1-14 years who have been stably taking one antiepileptic drug in the past 4 weeks but with poor results, and are now being considered for zonisamide treatment. 3. Treatment Plan: Patients will receive a gradually increasing dose of zonisamide, starting at 2 mg/kg/day and titrating up to 6 mg/kg/day, followed by a maintenance dose of 4-6 mg/kg/day depending on the patient's condition. 4. Effectiveness Evaluation: The efficacy of zonisamide is mainly assessed by comparing the change in seizure frequency before and after treatment and the proportion of patients whose seizure frequency is reduced by more than 50%. 5. Safety Assessment: The safety of zonisamide is assessed through physical examinations, weight monitoring, vital sign monitoring, and laboratory tests (including liver and kidney function and CBC). 6. Statistical Methods: Data analysis will be performed using SAS 9.4 statistical software, incorporating both descriptive and inferential statistics to assess the statistical significance of treatment effects. 7. Research Duration: August 1, 2024-July 31, 2027. This study is significant for exploring the potential of zonisamide as a new treatment plan, especially in combating epilepsy seizures that are difficult to control with traditional drugs.