Could melatonin tame a devastating childhood epilepsy?

NCT ID NCT07221968

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether high doses of melatonin, a natural sleep hormone, can safely reduce abnormal brain activity in children with DEE-SWAS, a rare epilepsy that causes skill loss. Only 3 children will participate, and researchers will monitor side effects and changes in brain waves during sleep. It is an early step to see if this simple treatment might help.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Melatonin

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a safe, natural treatment to reduce seizures and help children with DEE-SWAS regain lost skills.

What could go wrong

This is a very small, early-phase trial with only 3 participants. High doses of melatonin may cause side effects, and it is not yet known if it will improve symptoms.

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.

developmental and epileptic encephalopathy developmental and/or epileptic encephalopathy with spike-wave activation in sleep

As listed by the trial registrant

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