Identifying where seizures start in the brain to improve epilepsy surgery outcomes

Seizure localization for epilepsy surgery using high frequency electrophysiological markers

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · NIH-11044100

This study is looking to help people with severe epilepsy who haven't found relief from medications by using special electrodes to find the exact spots in the brain that cause seizures, so that surgery can be more successful and hopefully lead to fewer seizures afterward.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (IRVINE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11044100 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving the surgical treatment of epilepsy by accurately locating the brain tissue that generates seizures. Patients with severe epilepsy, who do not respond to medication, may undergo a procedure where electrodes are implanted in their brains to record electrical activity over several days. The goal is to identify high-frequency oscillations (HFOs), which are electrical signals that can indicate the presence of seizure-generating tissue. By pinpointing these areas more effectively, the research aims to enhance surgical outcomes and potentially reduce the frequency of seizures post-surgery.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with severe epilepsy who have not found relief from multiple anti-seizure medications.

Not a fit: Patients with well-controlled seizures or those who are not candidates for epilepsy surgery may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective epilepsy surgeries, resulting in fewer seizures and improved quality of life for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using high-frequency oscillations to localize seizure-generating tissue, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in epilepsy surgery.

Where this research is happening

IRVINE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.