Could a stroke pill boost brainpower in elderly epilepsy patients?

NCT ID NCT07193277

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether butylphthalide, a drug already used for stroke in China, can improve cognitive function in 220 elderly patients (ages 60-85) who have both focal epilepsy and mild cognitive impairment. Participants take the drug or a placebo for 48 weeks while continuing their usual seizure medication. The main goal is to see if thinking and memory scores improve, addressing a common problem that current epilepsy treatments don't help.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

butylphthalide (a neuroprotective drug currently approved in China for acute ischemic stroke)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a treatment for cognitive decline in elderly people with epilepsy, filling a gap where current epilepsy drugs only control seizures.

What could go wrong

This is a Phase 4 trial with 220 participants, so results are still uncertain. Butylphthalide is not yet approved for this use, and the cognitive benefits seen in other conditions may not apply here. Side effects are possible, though the drug is generally well-tolerated.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Cognitive Dysfunction focal epilepsy

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University

    RECRUITING

    Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••