Understanding epilepsy in the active brain. (360G-Wellcome-093069_Z_10_Z)

Neuroimaging techniques (like functional magnetic resonance imaging; fMRI) are increasingly being used to localise epileptic foci in partial epilepsy as part of pre-surgical evaluation and decision making. However, neuroimaging techniques rely on indirect measures of neural activity afforded by accompanying changes in hemodynamic parameters and we have very little understanding of how the relationship between neural activity and hemodynamics (neurovascular coupling) is affected by the epileptic state: something crucial for interpreting neuroimaging data in epilepsy. The proposed studies will use a variety of techniques in an animal model of partial epilepsy to characterise, define and measure the hemodynamic and neural events underlying epileptic activity. We will also assess whether any long term changes to normal neurovascular coupling mechanisms persist after epileptic activity, and whether antiepileptic medication can restore normal neurovascular coupling relationships. This resear ch will develop the use of neuroimaging (in particular fMRI) as a tool for pre-surgical localization of epileptic foci in cortical partial epilepsy and ultimately improve outcomes for surgical interventions in human epilepsy patients.