Creating a model to identify where seizures start in the brain
Official title: Establishing an Atrophy-Based Functional Network Model as a Biomarker for Seizure-Onset Laterality
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-10948071 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for a gentle way to find out where seizures start in people with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, using brain connectivity patterns to help doctors target the right areas for treatment, which could lead to better results from surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $38,476 |
| NIH project number | 5F31NS131025-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10948071 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy who are considering surgical options for seizure management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy types other than mesial temporal lobe epilepsy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a non-invasive method to determine the location of seizure onset in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). By using functional network modeling, the study aims to analyze brain connectivity patterns and identify specific regions involved in seizure activity. The approach involves a meta-analysis to define brain regions accurately, which can improve the reliability of biomarkers for seizure identification. This could lead to better surgical outcomes for patients by ensuring that the correct areas of the brain are targeted during treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the accuracy of identifying seizure onset locations, leading to better surgical interventions for epilepsy patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully used similar modeling techniques to create clinically validated biomarkers for other conditions, indicating potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Towne, Jonathan Michael — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Towne, Jonathan Michael
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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.