Guiding epilepsy surgery using network models and Stereo EEG

University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Summary of Parent Grant The objective of the parent grant is to translate methods to target epilepsy surgery into clinical practice. There is a clear need for standardized, quantitative methods to map epileptic networks and to target and optimize therapy. These tools, once validated, will dramatically improve clinical care and quality of life. To translate our methods to clinical trials as fast as possible we will need to address 3 major challenges: (1) adapting our methods to Stereotactic EEG (SEEG), (2) eliminating sampling error from sparse electrode implants, and (3) validating our methods on a larger number of patients across centers. To address such challenges the proposed work will: (1) replace current imprecise, manual methods for guiding epilepsy surgery with validated, rigorous quantitative tools that will standardize these procedures; (2) eliminate the need to precipitate seizures to map networks, (3) provide tools to simulate the effects of different brain interventions to optimize therapy; (4) develop methods to optimize SEEG implants, eliminate electrode sampling error, and improve patient selection for invasive treatment. Finally, we outline a path to clinical translation, a prospective clinical trial, and understanding mechanisms underlying seizure generation.