Participate in Current Research
HealthMatch is an Australian health technology company designed to help patients directly access clinical trials. Epilepsy Action Australia has partnered with HealthMatch to provide members with easy access to the latest clinical trials being conducted throughout Australia.
You can sign up, select your condition, create a profile and answer a simple questionnaire to determine if you are eligible for any currently recruiting clinical trials. The platform allows users to create a profile which means that when new trials become available, you will automatically be notified of these opportunities.
HealthMatch can be used by members, their families and health professionals. To access HealthMatch please click on the banner below.
The Australian Pregnancy Register (APR) is an independent research project into the long-term effects and safety of antiseizure medications on the mother and child during and after pregnancy.
This register is designed to bridge current knowledge gaps about epilepsy medication and has already identified some issues that has resulted in a change in prescribing practices and a reduced rate of birth defects.
Epilepsy Action is a major partner and supporter of the APR.
To be eligible to participate, you need to answer yes to two of the following three questions. Are you:
- Planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant or have recently given birth?
- Taking an antiseizure medication with or without a diagnosis of epilepsy?
- Not taking antiseizure medication but have been diagnosed with epilepsy?
The aim is to have as many women as possible enrol to provide a broad base of information. This is an observational study consisting of one to four brief telephone interviews and does not require any change to your current medication regime or treatment.
If you would like to contribute to the collective knowledge of seizure medications and pregnancy please Register Here
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This trial is a world first to investigate the effect of 6 months of treatment with sodium selenate in people with medication-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy – to see whether, as in the pre-clinical animal studies, there is a long term beneficial effect to reduce seizure frequency and neuropsychiatric comorbidities, even after the medication is stopped.
Recruitment has commenced in Vic, NSW, Qld and WA. 124 patients will be enrolled across at least 9 sites nationwide over 2.5 years.
For more information click here
Lacosamide pharmacokinetics: changes in blood & breast milk during & after pregnancy: Now Recruiting
A multicenter, open-label, longitudinal, prospective, pharmacokinetic phase 1b study in pregnant women with epilepsy treated with lacosamide: a substudy of the Australian Pregnancy Register of Antiepileptic Drugs for Women in Pregnancy with Epilepsy and Allied Conditions (Study UP0121)1
The Raoul Wallenberg Australian Pregnancy Register (RWAPR) in collaboration with UCB Pharma would like to continue the study of women on lacosamide during pregnancy*. The primary objective of the study is to assess lacosamide exposure across the course of pregnancy relative to post-partum. No treatment changes, or interference with medical care during pregnancy are planned as part of the study protocol.
The study involves collection of blood samples during pregnancy and after the birth, and additionally collect breast milk samples to determine the level of lacosamide recovered in breast milk (secondary outcome). All other study assessments are part of routine clinical practice.
Further information on the trial design is available at: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12622001121752
We encourage any patient currently on lacosamide and already pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant to be referred to the RWAPR for screening and enrolment.
For more information about the study, or to refer a patient for screening and enrolment:
- Phone: 1800 069 722
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.neuroscience.org.au/australian-epilepsy-pregnancy-register
* Please review the Australian approved product information before prescribing2.
Lacosamide pregnancy category: Category B3. Lacosamide should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary (if the benefit to the mother clearly outweighs the potential risk to the foetus). If women decide to become pregnant, the use of this product should be carefully re-evaluated2.
Lacosamide tablets and oral solution are indicated as:
- monotherapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation in patients with epilepsy aged 16 years and older.
- add-on therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation in patients with epilepsy aged 4 years and older.
- add-on therapy in the treatment of primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures in patients with idiopathic generalised epilepsy aged 4 years and older.
1. https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12622001121752.aspx
2. http://www.ucbpharma.com.au/vimpat-oral
This study has been approved by the Melbourne Health Human Ethics Research Committee.
Approval number 2015.211 – HREC/11/MH/282. ANZCTR registration number: ACTRN12622001121752
UCB Australia Pty Ltd. Melbourne, VIC. Ph +61 3 9828 1800. AU-VI-2600001. February 2026
Examining the efficacy of an online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – based self-management program for adults with neurological disorders
Macquarie University’s eCentreClinic is looking for adults with epilepsy to take part in a free online course to help Australians with neurological conditions learn to manage:
- Stress, anxiety, frustration and worry.
- Low mood, sadness, grief and depression.
- Day-to-day mental or cognitive activities.
- Day-to-day physical activities.
Click here to find out more about this Wellbeing Neuro Course and current research trial
We are seeking the thoughts of women with epilepsy who are approaching the menopausal years, or currently in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopausal phases of life.
By completing this anonymous, 2-minute survey you will be contributing to the scarce knowledge base about the lived experience of women living with epilepsy and how you can be better supported through this period. Epilepsy Action Australia is assisting A/Professor Lata Vadlamudi from Queensland University with this survey.
The insights from this survey will form the basis of a collaborative research funding application with the University of Queensland and Monash University.
Please scan the QR code or go to https://survey.app.uq.edu.au/women-with-epilepsy-after-childbearing—consumer-survey
Pearson is looking for people living with temporal lobe epilepsy to take part in a study on memory!
Participants must be aged between 16 and 64 years and have been diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy. Participants must also have English as their primary language.
To find out more and register, visit www.pearsonclinical.com.au/participant
If you are invited to take part, Pearson will connect you with a psychologist in your area to complete the study session.
Participation in this study is not considered treatment. You will not receive any results or feedback.
For any further questions, please contact Pearson Clinical Research & Development Project Manager, Hannah Cruickshank Campbell at [email protected]
This study has been approved by the St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC Reference Number: HREC A 252/21).
The AEP aims to create access for all Australians living with epilepsy
A national network of AEP Specialist Hubs will give all Australians living with epilepsy local access to advanced testing to guide individualised epilepsy diagnosis and treatment.
Learn more about how the AEP helps people living with epilepsy – click here
To find out how to get involved – click here
“I want every Australian living with epilepsy to be free from seizures. This is my life’s work. The AEP team will make this a reality for many.”
Professor Graeme Jackson
Chief Investigator
The Epilepsy Research Group at the Perron Institute looking at factors that affect clinical expression of epilepsy such as the interaction between epilepsy and the gut microbiome in the gut-brain connection, and mapping how depression and memory issues in people with epilepsy.
The aim of the Epilepsy Research Group is to understand the factors that affect the clinical expression of epilepsy and its response to treatment. The team also aim to identify biomarkers and develop personalised treatments for epilepsy and ultimately improve patients’ quality of life.
Go to Epilepsy – Perron Institute to view their studies
The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) lists current or recently completed epilepsy trials.
Many people like to participate in research studies knowing that they are helping others by increasing the medical understanding of epilepsy, how seizures are treated and its impact on the lives of those affected by epilepsy.
In Australia there are strict rules governing human and animal research activities. Approval through a recognised ethics committee is needed to ensure there is minimal risk to the participant and potential benefit to the community from the findings.
Before you commit to participating in a clinical trial, it is best to be fully informed about the objectives of the research, what is expected of you and any risks and possible inconveniences that may be experienced during and after the trial.
There are many different types of clinical research studies that may or may not be of direct benefit to you and these include:
- Intervention studies that seek better ways to treat epilepsy usually with a medication or new form of treatment
- Diagnostic and screening studies that look for better and more efficient ways to diagnose epilepsy and seizure activity
- Prevention studies looking at ways to prevent epilepsy
- Observational studies investigate epilepsy-related issues in large groups of people
- Quality of life studies that try to find better ways to improve the quality of life for people living with epilepsy and their families.
The National Health and Medical Research Council has detailed information available outlining who can take part, what to expect and important questions to ask about the trial and level of involvement.
It is important to know before you enrol in a research study that:
- Your participation is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time.
- The study information and consent form will explain exactly what you are agreeing to do during the study and you can ask any questions before you sign the consent form.
- The research study may or may not help you personally.
- You can bring a friend or family member with you to any interviews or appointments.
To search for any current Australian Trials Click Here
Medical Cannabis
Currently recruiting
In partnership with The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics and the University of Sydney, the aim of this project is to better understand the lived experience of Australian adults and parents/guardians of a child or person with epilepsy who have tried medicinal cannabis to treat the epilepsy.
The results of the survey will provide us with invaluable information that we can use to better advocate for your needs when speaking to policymakers and health professionals about cannabis medicines.
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Reside in Australia,
- Are aged 18 years or above,
- Have a diagnosis of epilepsy (or care for a person with epilepsy),
- Have tried using cannabis product(s) – illicit and/or prescribed – to treat the epilepsy.
You may open the survey by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/cape-survey
The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
Please feel free to contact the [email protected] if you have any questions
This was approved by the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval ID: 2023-313].
What is the study about?
The QUality of life Evaluation STudy (QUEST) conducted by Curtin University, aims to investigate the quality of life and health economic impact of medicinal cannabis on patients with a health condition.
Who can participate?
Adults living in Australia, with a diagnosed chronic condition who have tried other medications that have not been successful or have side effects.
What does participation involve?
In order to access to medicinal cannabis participants much first arrange a doctor consultation and prescription. The study involves the completion of some online surveys (approx. 20min each)
Benefits for participants
Study participants will access cannabis medications at a subsidised cost from $130 and receive free delivery of their medication. The study website incudes a directory of experienced and independent doctors to choose from.
How to apply?
Visit https://www.thequestinitiative.com/ and then start the 60 second eligibility quiz.
Study information
Website: https://www.thequestinitiative.com/
The ethical aspects of this study have been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Curtin University HRE2022-0085
