Network biomarkers of idiopathic generalised epilepsies
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Network biomarkers of idiopathic generalised epilepsies
IRAS ID
225865
Contact name
Eugenio Abela
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The purpose of the present study is to develop a novel diagnostic biomarker for people with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (IGE), based on quantitative neuroimaging of white matter (WM) structure and composition from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and electroencephalography (EEG) of 25-30 people with epilepsy and 25-30 unaffected controls. \n\nThe WM of the human brain contains long fibre bundles, or tracts, that connect different brain regions and allow precise communication between them. Particularly dense tracts can be found in the anterior parts of the human brain, the frontal lobes. These tracts can be visualised using so called diffusion tractography (see scientific justification section), and their composition (i.e. number and cross-section of fibres) can be measured with quantitative MRI. Using MRI and tractography techniques our specific aim is to test whether the characteristics of these tracts can serve as personalised neuroanatomical “fingerprints” of disease severity in IGE (i.e. seizure frequency and epileptic signals on the EEG). In other words, we want to know whether individual brain connections can help to diagnose IGE, in the same way that individual measurements of blood pressure can help diagnose heart disease. \n\nThe main impetus behind this research comes from the need to improve the diagnostic assessment of IGE, given the low yield of current diagnostic assessments and the severity of IGE as a long-term condition effecting cognitive, emotional and social well-being. Neuroimaging biomarkers have the potential to facilitate many aspects of care and research in the field of epilepsy, but proof of their robustness and utility is lacking. This study aims to address this knowledge gap, provide evidence on the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed biomarker or “connection fingerprint“, and offer new insight into frontal lobe WM pathology in IGE.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1995
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion