MR Elastography in refractory focal epilepsy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of the mechanical properties of epileptogenic lesions using magnetic resonance elastography: a new diagnostic approach for people with epilepsy?
IRAS ID
302171
Contact name
Neil Roberts
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
People with refractory epilepsy and lesions identified by MRI scanning are more likely to undergo surgery and have a greater chance of postsurgical freedom from seizures compared to patients with no lesions. Many patients undergoing surgery do not show evidence of brain lesions through conventional MRI scans. The likelihood is that this is not because lesions are not present, but because of limitations associated with conventional MRI scanning. New scanning approaches need to be tested to determine patient suitability for surgery and to help predict prognosis. MRE has been demonstrated to have considerable promise for a wide range of clinical conditions. If found to be a sensitive measure of brain pathology in epilepsy, this technique could have a far-reaching clinical impact. In this pilot study, we will scan ten patients with previously diagnosed epileptogenic lesions causing refractory epilepsy using MRE. These clinical subjects will be referred from Western General Hospital NHS Lothian. We will also be scanning a control group of ten healthy participants, recruited via advertisement at the University of Edinburgh. Participants will undergo a single 60-minute MRI scan with a pillow-like pad placed beneath the head to generate gentle vibration. We will determine the technique’s ability to identify lesions causing epilepsy and explore whether MRE measures of brain stiffness is related to postsurgical seizure freedom. If successful, we will use this pilot data to secure larger funding in prospective studies of MRE in epilepsy. We want to determine the clinical effectiveness of MRE in evaluation of people with epilepsy.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0562
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jul 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion