Novel Network Analysis of Intracranial Stereoelectroencephalography
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Novel Network Analysis of Intracranial Stereoelectroencephalography
IRAS ID
255823
Contact name
Rod Scott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain which is associated with disabling seizures and affects 100,000 people under 25. Many children with epilepsy also have a learning disability or problems with development. Although better outcomes occur in children who are successfully treated early for their epilepsy, 25% continue to have seizures despite best medical treatment.
One potential treatment is a neurosurgical operation to remove parts of the brain that generate seizures. A proportion of these children have electrodes inserted into their brains as part of their clinical assessment, termed stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), to help localise these regions. Subsequent surgery is not always successful – up to 40% of children will have ongoing seizures 5 years after surgery.
The purpose of this study is to assess the utility of specially designed SEEG electrodes which can measure signals from single brain cells. These electrodes record the same clinical information as normal SEEG electrodes and are implanted in the same way, but can give the research team extra information at the same time. We aim to assess whether studying the changes in the firing of individual cells, both during and between seizures, improves our ability to localise seizures and therefore improve outcomes following surgery.
As part of this research project, we will not be doing anything that is not already part of the normal investigation and treatment for these children. They will be recruited to the study during routine outpatient clinic visits. Surgical planning and execution will not be affected. The electrodes are CE licensed for clinical use and do not alter the risks of the operation. Following the period of monitoring, the care of these children would not be altered in any way.
We aim to recruit 30 patients over 3 years. In addition to dissemination via scientific publications and presentations, the findings will be shared with participants and the public.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0575
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jun 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion