A new type of “double scan” for epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Inflammation in tuberous sclerosis as a potential marker of epileptogenicity: an [18F]DPA-714 and elastography PET-MR study

• IRAS ID

  233544

• Contact name

  Alexander Hammers

• Contact email

  alexander.hammers@kcl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  King's College London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 5 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are methods of taking pictures of the brain. We have recently installed one of the first scanners in the UK that can acquire MRI images of the brain at the same time as PET images. This is called a PET-MR scanner.

  We will test a special type of PET-MR scan in a disease called tuberous sclerosis (TS).

  1. Why is this area of knowledge worth investigating?
  In TS, there are parts of the brain that have not formed properly (“tubers”). Most people with TS have difficult-to-treat epilepsy. This means they have seizures. If a tuber can be found that causes the seizures, a surgeon can remove it. Such surgery cures the epilepsy for more than half of patients.

  2. What question are we trying to answer?
  PET and MR are advanced brain imaging techniques. We will use PET with a special “dye” that detects inflammation, and a special type of MR that will test how stiff tubers are. We want to find out whether these scans can find a tuber that causes the epilepsy.

  3. What is this research expected to add to our knowledge of epilepsy?
  The results will help us understand TS and how tubers cause seizures. If this method works, more patients could be treated with surgery.

  4. How quickly will the results be applicable to patients?
  We have obtained funding to initially study 8 patients. If the method works, the results need to be confirmed with more patients, and in particular in children. Such PET-MR scans could be widely available in 3 – 5 years.

• REC name

  London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  19/LO/1298

• Date of REC Opinion

  9 Sep 2019

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion