Plain-English translation of NCT07116421 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our Epilepsy research guide →Phase 1 — Testing in a small group (usually 20–80 people) to find a safe dose and watch for side effects.
This trial is testing whether 2-phenylethanol, the main scent compound in roses, can help prevent a rare but serious complication of epilepsy called sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Researchers believe that seizures sometimes cause dangerous drops in oxygen levels, and early animal studies suggest that rose scent exposure may help protect against this. This study will observe how seizure activity and breathing patterns change when adults with epilepsy are exposed to rose scent for 24 hours while being monitored in a hospital.
Every year, about 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy die suddenly from causes that aren't fully understood, but are thought to involve breathing problems during seizures. Right now, there are very few ways to prevent this tragedy. This trial exists to explore whether a simple, safe smell-based intervention could reduce this risk and help us better understand how seizures affect breathing.
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If you join this study, you will be admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where you're likely already scheduled to stay for observation. For 24 hours, either rose scent (from an essential oil diffuser) or regular room air will be gently dispersed into your room. Meanwhile, doctors will monitor your brain activity with EEG and your breathing with a monitoring belt, just as they normally would. The study tracks whether the rose scent affects how often seizures happen or how your breathing responds during them.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 1, 2026 · Not medical advice
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