High-resolution cortical mapping for epilepsy surgery in children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
High-resolution cortical mapping for epilepsy surgery in children
IRAS ID
192283
Contact name
Torsten Baldeweg
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Division of Research and Innovation
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Around 30% of children with epilepsy do not respond to antiepileptic medication and may be considered for epilepsy surgery, which often results in reduction of seizures or even cure.
The lesion responsible for seizures is often found close to areas of the brain associated with language and motor functions, known as eloquent cortex. Hence, it is very important to define the exact extent of surgical resection required to render a patient seizure free without important postoperative neurologic and cognitive deficits. Keys to achieving a successful outcome are the precise identification of boundary between the seizure onset zone and the functional brain areas.
Diagnostic investigations before surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) therefore includes: invasive EEG monitoring to narrow down the seizure onset zone and mapping of functional brain areas by direct cortical stimulation mapping using electrodes placed onto the brain surface during neurosurgery. However, direct cortical stimulation mapping does have some limitations, in particular in its application to children. It can induce discomfort or seizures, it seems to be very tiring for children and in addition it is a time and resource intensive procedure.In this study we will evaluate a new neurophysiological technique to aid identification of language and motor areas in children undergoing pre-surgical evaluation at GOSH: Development and evaluation of a novel non-invasive electrophysiological technique to record event-related potentials (ERPs) from subdural electrodes. We will collect data for a new patient cohort of about 20 children (between 6-17 years).
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NE/0036
Date of REC Opinion
19 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion