Brain network mapping with stereo EEG to improve epilepsy surgery
Guiding epilepsy surgery using network models and Stereo EEG
This project uses MRI and stereo EEG brain recordings to pick the best spot for surgery, ablation, or device therapy for people whose seizures are not controlled by medicines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11098515 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I'm being considered for epilepsy surgery, the team will use my MRI and stereo-EEG recordings to build a personalized map of the brain network causing my seizures. They will run computer models to predict how removing, ablating, or stimulating different regions would affect my seizures. The goal is to produce standardized, quantitative tools that help surgeons choose the best approach or show when focal treatment is unlikely to work. The researchers build on prior measures from intracranial EEG and openly share data and code so other centers can adopt the methods.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with focal epilepsy whose seizures are not controlled by medication and who are being considered for invasive monitoring or epilepsy surgery would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People with generalized epilepsy, well-controlled seizures on medication, or those not undergoing invasive monitoring are unlikely to benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors choose safer, more effective surgical or device treatments and reduce unsuccessful operations.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies, including work by this team, have shown promise using intracranial EEG and imaging to predict surgical outcomes, but a fully standardized, personalized network-guided planning approach is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Litt, Brian — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Litt, Brian
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.