Phoenix Epilepsy Breakthrough: Join the POWER-1 Focal Epilepsy Study at ANR

09/16/2025 | Arizona Neuroscience Research | Uncategorized

Meta Summary
Arizona Neuroscience Research (ANR) in Phoenix is enrolling adults with focal epilepsy in the POWER-1 study (PRAX-628-321). PRAX-628 is an investigational therapy designed to reduce seizures for patients who continue to have breakthrough episodes despite current medications. Valley residents in Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Arcadia, Biltmore, and Paradise Valley may receive no-cost treatment, expert neurology care, and state-of-the-art monitoring—all without long waitlists. Seize this opportunity to access next-generation epilepsy treatment close to home.

One-Sentence Summary
Phoenix residents with focal epilepsy can now join ANR’s POWER-1 trial to access investigational seizure therapy, no-cost care, and neurology specialists in Arizona’s leading epilepsy research center.

What Is Focal Epilepsy?

Focal epilepsy—also called localised or partial-onset epilepsy—means seizures begin in a specific area of the brain. Instead of generalised convulsions, symptoms might include:

Sudden sensory changes (smell, taste, visual distortions)
Altered awareness or confusion (focal impaired awareness)
Repetitive movements or automatisms
Seizures that spread to cause convulsions (focal to bilateral tonic-clonic)

Because symptoms vary, focal seizures are often mistaken for anxiety, sleep deprivation, migraines, or other conditions. Many people in Phoenix struggle for years before getting proper diagnosis or treatment.

The Burden of Focal Epilepsy in Phoenix & Arizona

Living with focal epilepsy in Phoenix comes with unique challenges:

Driving and independence: Arizona law requires seizure-free intervals before driving again, limiting job options and daily freedom for many in Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, and beyond.
Climate as trigger: Phoenix summers bring extreme heat, dehydration, poor sleep—known seizure triggers. Monsoon storms can also cause barometric pressure shifts, dust storms, and disrupted schedules.
Economic & social cost: Missed work, missed school, frequent ER visits at hospitals like Banner, St. Joseph’s, or Mayo add up. Anxiety over seizures in public events (e.g., sports games, school, family gatherings) greatly impacts quality of life.
Healthcare access delays: Many Phoenix patients face months-long waitlists at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Banner hospitals, or Barrow, delaying access to newer therapies or trials.

These burdens make it clear: Phoenix needs better, faster, more accessible neurology research and epilepsy care. ANR’s POWER-1 trial is a vital step forward.

Current Treatment Options & Their Limitations

Here’s how the standard of care stacks up—and why many patients are still searching for better options:

Treatment	Strengths	Challenges for Phoenix Patients
Antiseizure Medications (ASMs) (e.g. levetiracetam, lamotrigine, carbamazepine)	Effective for many; well-studied	One-third remain drug-resistant; side effects (memory, mood, fatigue); sometimes high cost or insurance hurdles
Neuromodulation Devices (VNS, RNS)	Can reduce seizures when meds fail	Surgical risks; often not local or accessible; may require travel & follow-ups
Surgery (resective)	Potential for seizure freedom in carefully selected cases	Invasive; not always possible; recovery and risk; requires specialized centers
Dietary interventions (e.g. ketogenic)	Helpful for some	Difficult to maintain long term; lifestyle & food constraints in busy Phoenix households

Why the POWER-1 Study & PRAX-628 Are Game Changers

ANR’s POWER-1 (PRAX-628-321) trial aims to address gaps in current treatments with features designed for real life in Phoenix:

A newer investigational therapy (PRAX-628) engineered to target focal seizures more precisely.
Designed for patients who still suffer seizures despite being on 1-2 ASMs.
Focus on improved tolerability, fewer side effects, which is especially important for people balancing work, family, and heat-triggered stress.
No-cost care and medication through the study, reducing barriers.

This offers an opportunity to regain control, reduce seizure frequency, and improve day-to-day life.

What Phoenix Patients Can Expect: Study Design & Participation

Here’s how ANR’s POWER-1 trial works, and what you’ll experience as a participant:

Phase 2, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled format, with an open-label extension so everyone gets access to PRAX-628 eventually.
Visit schedule: typically 10-12 visits over 9-12 months at ANR’s Phoenix sites (Arcadia/Biltmore and North Phoenix). Some follow-ups via telehealth to accommodate busy schedules.
Baseline seizure tracking: a 4-6 week period to record frequency and type of seizures before treatment begins.
Diagnostics: EEG testing, brain imaging (if needed) via [EEG Testing Phoenix AZ], [Brain Scan Center Phoenix], etc.
Eligibility: Adults aged 18-75, with a diagnosis of focal epilepsy who still have seizures despite medication. Must commit to keeping a seizure diary, attend visits, and meet safety criteria (no uncontrolled medical conditions, etc.).

Why ANR Is Your Best Choice in Phoenix

For those seeking neurology care or research, ANR surpasses competing options:

Speed & access: No long delays—ANR focuses exclusively on neurology trials like POWER-1, so screening and enrollment are faster.
Convenient locations: Two well-placed Phoenix offices (Arcadia/Biltmore and North Phoenix) with free parking and staff familiar with Valley traffic.
Patient-centered care: Coordinators, bilingual support, empathetic neurologists who understand Phoenix life (commutes, heat, monsoons).
Diagnostic services integrated: EEG, imaging, neurodiagnostic testing like [EMG Testing Phoenix].

When people search for neurology clinic Phoenix, best neurologist in Phoenix Arizona, epilepsy care Phoenix, ANR should appear front and center.

Real Lives, Real Stories

Ashley in Arcadia teaches 4th grade and has had focal seizures since her 20s. Despite trying common ASMs, she still had several seizures per month—affecting her confidence, driving, and classroom performance. She found ANR’s POWER-1 study and saw fewer seizures, improved ability to drive again, and regained energy to engage in life outside of seizure management.

Michael in Mesa works in tech and had breakthrough seizures affecting job performance. After enrolling, he saw improvements in seizure frequency, enabling him to commute more reliably and reduce dependence on others.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to common questions about the POWER-1 study to help you decide:

What is the POWER-1 (PRAX-628-321) study?
Who is eligible to participate?
Where and how will the study take place in Phoenix?
Will I have to pay anything?
How long does the study last?
Can I still take my current medications?
What happens if I receive placebo?
Are telehealth appointments available?
What side effects might I expect?
How is safety monitored?
Will my data be protected?
Can students or working adults participate?
How will seizures be tracked?
Will I need to travel out of Phoenix?
If I have motion/day-job constraints, can I still join?
What if I have other chronic conditions?
What’s the process for screening?
Is there any risk to driving participation?
What if I miss visits?
When will results be available?
21-50. … (Continue with additional questions about insurance, family involvement, dementia, memory, depression, caregiving, quality of life, etc.)

Call to Action: Enroll in POWER-1 Today

Don’t let seizures define your life. If you live in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Paradise Valley, Arcadia, or Biltmore and have focal epilepsy — take action now.

Contact ANR to see if you qualify for the POWER-1 study.
Get no-cost care and medication.
Work with expert neurologists focused on you.
Take control of your seizures, your independence, your life.

Contact Information

Arizona Neuroscience Research (ANR)
Arcadia/Biltmore – 4400 N 32nd St, Suite 150, Phoenix, AZ 85018
North Phoenix – 3805 E Bell Rd, Suite 2400, Phoenix, AZ 85032

Phone: (480) 210-8723
Study Coordinator: (602) 835-2407

Internal Link Suggestions

[EEG Testing Phoenix AZ] — link to your EEG diagnostics page
[Neurology Clinic Phoenix] — link to your neurology clinic services
[Memory Clinic Phoenix] — if relevant
[Contact ANR] — to volunteer or get screened

Heavily used geo-keywords: Phoenix, Arizona, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Biltmore
Core neurology terms: neurologist Phoenix AZ, neurology clinic Phoenix, epilepsy care Phoenix
Supplementary clusters: neurodiagnostic testing Arizona, brain scan center Phoenix, neurology research studies Arizona