Improving brain imaging for epilepsy surgery planning
Official title: Imaging Epilepsy Sources with Biophysically Constrained Deep Neural Networks
Funded at Carnegie-Mellon University · NIH-11140998 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, easy-to-use imaging method that helps doctors find the exact spots in the brain causing seizures in people with epilepsy who don't respond to medication, aiming to improve their chances of successful surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $601,854 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS127849-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140998 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who are considering surgical options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose epilepsy is well-controlled with medication or those with generalized epilepsy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a new imaging technique using deep neural networks to better locate the sources of seizures in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. By analyzing brain activity through EEG data, the approach seeks to provide accurate and objective information about the areas of the brain that need to be surgically addressed. The technology is designed to be user-friendly, eliminating the need for complex adjustments by operators, which could enhance its application in clinical settings. The ultimate goal is to improve surgical outcomes for patients who do not respond to medication.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective surgical interventions for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, potentially curing their condition.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for epilepsy, but this specific approach utilizing biophysically constrained deep neural networks is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: He, Bin — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: He, Bin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Scaling Up Task-Shifted Epilepsy Care for Children in Africa
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
A study tests a brain-quieting system that uses light to precisely time certain brain cells in epilepsy-prone mice to see if this can lessen seizures and improve memory.
-
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.
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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.