Finding seizure-causing brain regions in drug-resistant epilepsy using computer models
Official title: Establishing novel properties of dynamic systems models to identify epileptogenic networks in patients with drug resistant epilepsy
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11263641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses computer models of brain activity to help doctors find the areas that start seizures in people whose epilepsy does not respond to medicines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $131,175 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS122927-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11263641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who are being considered for epilepsy surgery and who are undergoing or may undergo intracranial EEG monitoring are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People whose seizures are well controlled with medications, those with generalized epilepsy that lacks a localizable focus, or those not undergoing intracranial monitoring are unlikely to participate or benefit directly.
What this research studies
If your seizures don't stop with medication, doctors sometimes record brain signals directly from the surface or inside the brain (intracranial EEG) to find where seizures begin. This research applies dynamic systems and network modeling to large iEEG and imaging data sets so patterns hidden in days of recordings can be found. The team aims to use these models to map the epileptogenic zone more completely than current visual review of a few seizures. Better maps could inform surgery or targeted treatments so fewer operations miss the true seizure source.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help surgeons target and remove seizure-causing brain tissue more accurately, increasing chances of seizure freedom.
How similar studies have gone: Related network-modeling approaches have shown promise in small research studies but are not yet validated as routine clinical tools.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sarma, Sridevi V. — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Sarma, Sridevi V.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Single-pulse brain stimulation to improve epilepsy surgery outcomes
A new approach uses single-pulse electrical stimulation to better locate seizure-causing brain regions before epilepsy surgery, with the goal of improving chances of seizure freedom.
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New MRI markers to find seizure zones in hard-to-treat epilepsy
Aims to use advanced MRI measures of brain stiffness and blood flow to better locate seizure regions in people with drug-resistant epilepsy.
-
Mapping hidden brain cell changes in drug-resistant epilepsy
This project looks for tiny genetic changes in brain cells of children with drug-resistant epilepsy caused by brain malformations to help guide better diagnosis and treatments.
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Noninvasive brain mapping to find seizure networks in children with hard-to-treat epilepsy
This project uses noninvasive brain recordings and connectivity maps to help locate seizure-causing networks in children whose epilepsy does not respond to medication.
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Closed-loop implant to target seizure-related high-frequency brain waves in drug-resistant epilepsy
An implantable device will try to find and interrupt seizure-related high-frequency brain waves in people whose seizures don't respond to medicines.
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Improving care for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy
This study is all about creating a helpful mobile app that makes it easier for people with drug-resistant epilepsy to share what matters most to them with their doctors, like their mental health and daily life, so they can work together to improve their overall care.
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.