Sodium MRI in Generalised Epilepsy Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Sodium MRI in Generalised Epilepsy
IRAS ID
339766
Contact name
Nikos Evangelou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
Epilepsy affects 1% of the world population. Epilepsy can be divided into two groups: 1. Focal epilepsies, where seizures start in one area of the brain, and 2. Generalised epilepsies, where seizures start in both sides of the brain at the same time. Focal epilepsy is often associated with brain abnormalities that are visible on structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Focal epilepsy that has visible brain abnormalities on structural MRI and does not respond to anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) can be treated with surgery. Around 50% of people with focal epilepsy and all people with generalised epilepsy have no obvious abnormalities on structural MRI. Novel MRI techniques (such as Sodium MRI), however, are revealing abnormalities in these cases.
Sodium MRI has revealed that people with focal epilepsy have a higher Total Sodium Concentration (TSC) in their brains than healthy controls, especially in areas where the seizures start (epileptogenic zone) and spread (propagation zone). The increased brain TSC in focal epilepsy can be a marker of neuronal cell dysfunction or underlying brain damage.
People with generalised epilepsy comprise 15-20% of the population with epilepsy. It is unknown whether people with generalised epilepsy exhibit any changes in brain TSC as measured using Sodium MRI.
This project will be the first time that brain Sodium MRI will be conducted in people with generalised epilepsy. We will scan people with generalised epilepsy and healthy controls using Sodium MRI and structural MRI. This will generate pilot data on the levels and distribution of TSC within participants’ brains, which can be compared between the two groups. This would determine whether there is a focal epileptogenic zone in the brains of people with generalised epilepsy and may give indication as to where this area is.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0198
Date of REC Opinion
5 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion