Investigating brain activity patterns in epilepsy to improve diagnosis and treatment

electroencephalography and single-unit recordings

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10992187

This study is looking at how certain brain activity during sleep can help doctors find where seizures start in people with epilepsy, using special brain wave recordings to improve treatment options.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-10992187 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms behind epilepsy, particularly how abnormal slow-wave activity during sleep can serve as a diagnostic marker for identifying the seizure onset zone in patients. By utilizing high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) and intracranial EEG (iEEG) recordings, the study aims to analyze brain activity in patients with focal epilepsy. The goal is to quantify sleep slow-wave activity in different brain regions to better understand seizure propagation and improve therapeutic strategies for epilepsy management.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with focal epilepsy and experience refractory seizures.

Not a fit: Patients with epilepsy who do not have focal seizures or those under the age of 21 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnostic tools and new neuroprotective therapies for patients with epilepsy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using sleep slow-wave activity as a marker for seizure activity, indicating that this approach may yield significant insights.

Where this research is happening

Madison, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.