A study of the connectivity measures of a resting-state brain network in patients with Epilepsy.

Assessing connectivity measures and neurotransmitter concentrations of the Default Mode Network (DMN) via functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) in patients with Epilepsy.

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12618000193279

Enrollment

Registered

2018-02-07

Start date

2018-06-27

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2019-01-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Despite adequate treatment with two or more antiepileptic drugs, about one third of patients diagnosed as having epilepsy are not seizure-free. It is imperative to promptly diagnose and manage these patients, as recurrent seizures are correlated with important clinical, cognitive and socioeconomic consequences. The current project aims to recruit patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and idiopathic generalised epilepsy, and to study the connectivity measures of a resting-state brain network called the Default Mode Network (DMN) in these patients via functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). In addition, the concentration of various metabolites in one the key nodes of this network will be measured via Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS). The results of these scans will be compared to data already collected from healthy controls to create a predictive model that will facilitate the diagnosis of patients with different types of epilepsy, and to distinguish between drug-resistant and drug-responsive cases, via a brief MRI scan.

Interventions

Participants will undergo a single 7-Tesla MRI scan that will consist of a high-resolution anatomical scan, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The total scanning time will be around 20 minutes.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosis of Idiopathic Generalised Epilepsy (IGE) or Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE), right-handedness, able to provide written informed consent in English.

Exclusion criteria

Any contraindication to a 7-Tesla MRI scan (a detailed safety questionnaire will be used).

Outcome results