Improving outcomes of epilepsy surgery using brain network analysis
Official title: Development of multimodal network analyses to improve epilepsy surgery outcomes
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11178296 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help people with epilepsy who haven't found relief from medications by using advanced brain scans and technology to pinpoint the exact areas causing their seizures, which could lead to better surgery results and fewer unnecessary procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | December 6, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $88,054 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS134625-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11178296 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 with epilepsy that is well-controlled by medication or those who do not qualify for surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the success of epilepsy surgery for patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy by accurately identifying the regions of the brain responsible for seizures, known as epileptogenic zones (EZs). The approach involves using advanced imaging techniques, including structural and functional MRI, along with machine learning to analyze brain connectivity patterns. By integrating these multimodal data, the study seeks to provide better guidance for surgical decisions, potentially leading to improved seizure control for patients. The research will also explore how these connectivity measures can predict surgical outcomes and help avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve seizure control and quality of life for patients undergoing epilepsy surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using brain connectivity analysis to improve surgical outcomes in epilepsy, suggesting that this approach could lead to meaningful advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Englot, Dario J — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Englot, Dario J
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.
-
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.