Improving electrode placement for epilepsy treatment using brain imaging techniques
Official title: Optimized Intracranial EEG Targeting in Focal Epilepsy based upon Neuroimaging Connectomics
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11042770 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for ways to improve epilepsy treatment by using advanced imaging techniques to help doctors place electrodes more accurately in the brain, so they can better predict and manage seizures for patients who are having trouble with their epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $558,449 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS116504-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042770 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with intractable epilepsy who are being evaluated for surgical intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy that is well-controlled by medication or those who are not candidates for surgical evaluation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the treatment of intractable epilepsy by developing methods to better target the placement of electrodes used in intracranial EEG (IEEG) procedures. By integrating noninvasive MRI imaging with IEEG data, the study seeks to create tools that can accurately map brain networks associated with seizures. Patients undergoing IEEG will be involved in testing how well these imaging techniques can predict seizure onset and propagation, ultimately aiming to improve surgical outcomes. The approach focuses on validating biomarkers derived from neuroimaging to guide clinical decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and less invasive treatment options for patients with epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using neuroimaging techniques to inform surgical approaches in epilepsy, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davis, Kathryn Adamiak — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Davis, Kathryn Adamiak
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Predicting seizure patterns in focal epilepsy patients
Aims to create personalized models to forecast how often seizures will happen over time in people with focal epilepsy.
-
Patchy (mosaic) genetic changes in focal epilepsy
This project looks for mosaic (patchy) genetic mutations in brain tissue from people with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy to better understand causes and help guide future treatment choices.
-
Predicting seizure patterns for people with focal epilepsy
This project builds tools to forecast how often seizures may happen over time for people with focal epilepsy using long-term seizure records.
-
Understanding genetic changes in difficult-to-treat focal epilepsy
This study is looking at the genetic differences in the brains of people with focal epilepsy who haven't found relief from regular treatments, hoping to uncover new ways to help them feel better.
-
Understanding and predicting seizures in patients with focal epilepsy
This study is working on new ways to predict how often people with focal epilepsy might have seizures, using information from 450 patients to better understand their unique seizure patterns over time.
-
Understanding genetic mutations in difficult-to-treat focal epilepsy
This study is looking at the genetic causes of hard-to-treat epilepsy in people whose brain scans look normal, hoping to find hidden changes in their brain tissue that might explain their seizures and help improve their treatment options.
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.