What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for acquired nystagmus include medications such as gabapentin and memantine, as well as botulinum toxin injections and surgical interventions. Gabapentin may cause side effects like dizziness, fatigue, and peripheral edema. Memantine can lead to dizziness, headache, and confusion. Botulinum toxin injections might result in localized muscle weakness and dry eyes. Surgical treatments carry risks such as infection, bleeding, and potential worsening of symptoms. Frenzel lenses, used for diagnostic purposes, generally do not have side effects but are essential for accurate diagnosis and assessment of nystagmus.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

There are no specific FDA-approved drugs exclusively for the treatment of Acquired Nystagmus. However, treatments often involve addressing the underlying cause of the nystagmus. Medications such as gabapentin and memantine have been used off-label to manage symptoms. Diagnostic tools like Frenzel lenses are crucial for enhancing the visibility of nystagmus, aiding in accurate diagnosis and subsequent management. These lenses are not a treatment per se but are instrumental in the diagnostic process, which can guide appropriate therapeutic interventions.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives to Frenzel lenses for acquired nystagmus patients include advanced video-oculography (VOG) systems and infrared eye-tracking technology. These tools provide high-resolution, real-time visualization and recording of eye movements, allowing for more precise and comprehensive assessment of nystagmus. Additionally, portable and wearable devices equipped with these technologies offer greater convenience and accessibility for both patients and clinicians.

← Back to Search

Diagnostic Test

Nystagmus Assessment for Vertigo

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Pierre La Rochelle, MD, MSc

Research Sponsored by CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

New episode of acute vertigo/dizziness/imbalance occuring during the 28 last days

Be older than 18 years old

Must not have

Not able to speak adequately in French or English.

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up from day 0 to 12 weeks

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests special glasses and a diagnostic method to help doctors better identify eye movements in patients with dizziness or balance issues in the emergency room.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for individuals who can consent and have experienced a new episode of acute vertigo, dizziness, or imbalance in the last 28 days. Participants must be able to speak French or English and be available for follow-up after 3 months. Those with trauma, intoxication before symptoms, or very low blood sugar levels cannot join.

What is being tested?

The study tests the use of Frenzel lenses and a diagnostic algorithm to assess nystagmus (a vision condition) in patients with acute vertigo visiting the emergency department. It's designed to see if these tools are practical and accurate in a real-world setting.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves diagnostic procedures rather than medications, traditional side effects like those seen with drugs are not expected. However, discomfort from wearing Frenzel lenses may occur.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I have experienced new episodes of vertigo, dizziness, or imbalance in the last 28 days.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I cannot speak French or English well.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ from day 0 to 12 weeks

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~from day 0 to 12 weeks

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and from day 0 to 12 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Rate of Nystagmus detection per participant

Secondary study objectives

Adverse Events

Emergency Department Length of stay

Initial managment self appreciation of patient presenting in the ED for an acute episode of vertigo/dizziness/imbalance

+10 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

4Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: No Frenzel Lens with Diagnostic AlgorithmExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Nystagmus assessment in different manoeuvres is performed without the use of Frenzel lens. Without mentioning to patient, the emergency physician will use a diagnostic algorithm inspired from the TiTrATE approach to interpret the nystagmus and propose the need or the irrelevance for neuro-imaging

Group II: Frenzel Lens without Diagnostic AlgorithmExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Frenzel lens will be applied on patients' eyes during different diagnostic maneuvers to assess if a nystagmus is present and describe its main characteristics. No diagnostic algorithm will be used to interpret nystagmus.

Group III: Frenzel Lens with Diagnostic AlgorithmExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Frenzel lens will be applied on patients' eyes during different diagnostic maneuvers to assess if a nystagmus is present and if present describe its main characteristic. Without mentioning to patient, the emergency physician will use a diagnostic algorithm inspired from the TiTrATE approach to interpret the nystagmus and propose the need or the irrelevance for neuro-imaging

Group IV: No Frenzel Lens and No Diagnostic AlgorithmActive Control1 Intervention

The emergency physician is performing the assessment of nystagmus and its interpretation as usual. The Frenzel lens and the diagnostic algorithm are not used.

0 / 2Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Acquired Nystagmus is often treated using medications, physical therapy, and specialized lenses. Medications such as gabapentin and memantine work by stabilizing neural activity in the brain, which can reduce the involuntary eye movements. Physical therapy, including vestibular rehabilitation, helps improve balance and coordination, which can mitigate symptoms. Frenzel lenses, used in diagnostic settings, enhance the visibility of nystagmus, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans. These treatments are crucial as they help manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and provide a clearer understanding of the condition for both patients and healthcare providers.