Thermographic Examination of Skin Temperatures in Individuals With Focal Onset Epilepsy

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The specific aim is to determine if there are patterns of temperature differences in the abdominal and back regions of individuals with partial/focal onset epilepsy as compared to a non-epileptic control group. The hypothesis is that individuals with partial/focal onset epilepsy will have colder recorded temperatures in the abdominal area than individuals in a matched control group.

Detailed Description
-----------------
The concept of Abdominal Epilepsy has been described in the neurology literature. The present study seeks to amplify understanding of this clinical entity by measuring abdominal area and low back skin temperature changes which may be affected through the function of the abdominal ganglia, specifically the Celiac, Superior Mesenteric and Inferior Mesenteric Ganglia. This not an intervention study. It is study comparing abdominal area and low back skin temperature in individuals with the Partial/Focal Onset Epilepsy with a match control group of individuals with no epilepsy history. The implications of the outcome of the finding any significant temperature changes between the experimental and control groups is great enough to warrant the highest level of scientific scrutiny that this registration permits.

Official Title
-----------------
Thermographic Examination of Low Back and Abdominal Area Skin Temperatures in Individuals With and Without Focal Onset Epilepsy

Conditions
-----------------
Focal Onset Epilepsy, Partial Epilepsy

Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria Experimental Group: Diagnosis of Partial/Focal Onset Epilepsy (ICD9-CM 345.4 and 345.5) Ages 18-70 Exclusion Criteria Experimental Group: Pregnancy Recent trauma such as motor vehicle accident or injury to the musculoskeletal system Currently on medication, other than for epilepsy which may affect autonomic nervous system function, e.g. Glaucoma medication If diagnosed with a condition which could affect abdominal area neurophysiologic functions. Irritable bowel syndrome Crohn's disease Ulcerative colitis Migraine headache with abdominal manifestation Inclusion criteria Control group: No history or diagnosis of any seizure disorder Ages 18-70 Exclusion Criteria Control group: Pregnancy Recent trauma such as motor vehicle accident or injury to the musculoskeletal system Currently on medication, other than for epilepsy which may affect autonomic nervous system function, e.g. Glaucoma medication If diagnosed with a condition which could affect abdominal area neurophysiologic functions. Irritable bowel syndrome Crohn's disease Ulcerative colitis Migraine headache with abdominal manifestation

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Epilepsy Group<br>Individuals diagnosed with Partial/Focal Onset Epilepsy ICD9CM 345.4 and/or 345.5 | |
| Control Group<br>Individuals who do not have the diagnosis of Epilepsy and have no history of seizure disorders | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thermographic imagery of the abdominal area | State of the art thermographic imagery of the imagery of the abdominal area from the xyphoid bone to just above the public symphysis. It is hypothesized that the average temperature for the experimental group will be lower than the control group. Since this is a measurement or diagnostic study using thermographic imagery, there is no health risk to the subjects. | Each experimental subject and each control subject will be seen once for the administration of the thermography imagery | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| low back thermography imagery | Besides abdominal area will also do theographic imagery of low back of subjects because of the possibility of dermatomal skin area temperature changes possibly related the Abdominal Epilepsy dysfunction of the Celiac, Superior Mesenteric and Inferior Mesenteric Ganglia | one time for thermographic imagery | 
| side thermography imagery | To capture possible dermatomal skin temperature effects will do thermographic imagery of the side or lateral aspect of the subjects. | one time for thermographic imagery | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
epilepsy, thermography