Localizing Epileptic Networks Using MRI and iEEG

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · Nov 23, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Localizing Epileptic Networks Using MRI and iEEG," is researching how to better identify the areas in the brain that cause seizures in people with epilepsy, particularly those who do not respond to medication. The goal is to develop non-invasive ways to use imaging techniques to predict how well patients will do after surgery aimed at treating their epilepsy. This study is important because over 20 million people around the world suffer from epilepsy that does not respond to drugs, and improved mapping of their brain activity could lead to more successful surgical options.

To participate in this trial, patients must have epilepsy that has not improved despite trying medications and be scheduled for a specific brain monitoring procedure called intracranial EEG (iEEG). They should also be suspected of having temporal lobe epilepsy. However, individuals with certain conditions, like metal implants or a history of previous brain surgeries, may not be eligible. Participants will undergo imaging and monitoring that can help researchers understand seizure activity better and ultimately lead to more personalized treatment options.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with medication-refractory epilepsy
• • Planned intracranial EEG (IEEG) placement
• • Hypothesized to have temporal lobe epilepsy
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Contraindication to 3T MRI (e.g. metal implants or claustrophobia), clinical features that typically preclude the use of IEEG (e.g. pregnancy), prior intracranial surgery or device, and IEEG findings that are non-diagnostic (e.g. seizure onset zone(s) not identified)