Identifying the source of seizures in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy using advanced imaging techniques
Official title: Seizure onset zone localization with functional MRI correlates of interictal physiology in temporal lobe epilepsy
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11067741 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help people with temporal lobe epilepsy who haven't found relief from medications by using special brain scans to better locate where their seizures start, which could lead to more successful surgery options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31NS135908-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11067741 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy who have not responded to drug treatments and are being considered for surgical intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy who are well-controlled on medication or those with other types of epilepsy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the localization of the seizure onset zone (SOZ) in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy who do not respond to medication. By utilizing advanced functional MRI techniques, the study aims to identify interictal physiological abnormalities that can help pinpoint the SOZ more accurately. Patients undergoing this research will participate in noninvasive imaging tests that measure brain activity, which may lead to better surgical outcomes. The goal is to enhance the precision of surgical interventions for those suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective surgical treatments for patients with epilepsy, potentially resulting in seizure freedom.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for seizure localization, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sainburg, Lucas — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Sainburg, Lucas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A study to help children with epilepsy in Africa get diagnosed and receive seizure care through trained community health workers.
-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
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-
Epilepsy Data Ecosystem: A Big-Data Sharing Platform for Better Care
A national effort to collect and share large, multi‑modal brain data from people with medication‑resistant epilepsy to speed discoveries and improve treatment options.
-
Exploring epilepsy genes in zebrafish to understand human brain seizures
A study in zebrafish will model human epilepsy genes to help explain how certain brain mutations contribute to seizures.
-
New MRI tools to better plan pediatric epilepsy surgery
A new MRI-based approach helps doctors decide the best time to surgically remove brain tissue in children with difficult-to-control seizures.
-
Sahel Epilepsy Study: finding patterns in epilepsy in rural Africa and its links to genes
A plan to study epilepsy in rural Nigeria to discover how common it is, what factors affect risk, and how genetics may influence it, with results that could improve care for people with epilepsy.
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.