Advanced Imaging in Childhood Epilepsy
About The Project
Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder of childhood, with a prevalence of 1 in 200, or approximately 50,000 children in the UK.
In focal epilepsy seizures are generated from a specific area of the brain, however, identifying such a region is sometimes challenging especially in children in the context of ongoing brain development.
The purpose of this study is to use new methods in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to get more informative pictures of the brain. MRI is a clinical imaging tool to investigate the brain and is used routinely in children with epilepsy to aide clinical management.Â
Epilepsy can be caused by abnormal brain anatomy or brain networks, which can generate epileptic seizures. Â Â
We wish to develop new types of MRI scan to better identify abnormal brain tissue as to describe the properties of the brain networks which cause epilepsy.Â
We believe that this will help us to improve epilepsy treatment in the future.
Methods
This research is intended to improve our understanding of the effects of epilepsy during brain development and to investigate whether we can detect unidentified lesions through advanced MRI methods.
It is hoped that this knowledge will allow us to target therapies when they are needed.
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This study is being undertaken by researchers at King’s College London and it involves undertaking a brain MRI using a 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner located in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. A subgroup of patients will have a second scan in the high field 7T MRI facility also located at St Thomas' Hospital.
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Children with epilepsy will be recruited through pediatric neurology outpatient clinics at three large NHS trusts, GSTT, KCH, and GOSH. They will be matched with a comparison group of typically developing children that will be recruited from existing volunteer databases (at the Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences or Perinatal Imaging and Health at King's College London) and will be contacted via mainstream schools and community programs. We will also provide extra information sheets to parents whose children have taken part in the study, as they may know other families who would be willing to volunteer.
The MRI scanner
An MRI machine is a scanner used to take detailed pictures of the inside of our bodies, including the brain. It is completely painless, doesn't involve ionising radiation and has been used safely in the study of humans for approximately 30 years.
Participants
Inclusion criteria
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Infants and children with a confirmed diagnosis of focal epilepsy
Infants and children who are typically developing with no known neurological disease
Age between 6 months and 18 years​
No contraindication for an MRI scan (e.g. non removable metal devices, surgical clips)
HOW IT WORKS?
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The participation is voluntary and non invasive.
On the day of the scan, we'll obtain the informed consent and complete a metal check form before the scan. We'll ask you to fill a questionnaire in order to collect some medical information to be integrated with the acquired images.
It is very important that your child keeps still while scanning in order to avoid motion artifacts. When your child lies on the table, we will make sure they are in a comfortable position so they can keep still. If your infant or child is very young, we can try and perform the MRI in the evening while your child sleeps.
Your child will be monitored during the scan through an external oxygenation saturation probe and a respiratory sensor. Hearing protection will be provided through earplugs and headphones on top. Participants can watch a video of their choice during the procedure.
They are given a break halfway through if wanted and the parents are allowed in the scanning room if needed. The whole acquisition lasts about 55 minutes.
The images will be reviewed and reported formally by an expert neuroradiologist, we will communicate the results to you and to your GP/clinical team.
Your child will get a £40 voucher and we can also reimburse reasonable travel costs.
Project Team
Dr Jonathan O'Muircheartaigh
Principal Investigator
Dr Katy Vecchiato
Clinical Research Fellow
Dr Ruth williams
Consultant Pediatric Neurologist
Get in Touch
Please get in touch if you would like to take part to the study
Perinatal Imaging & Health Departement
1st Floor South Wing
St Thomas' Hospital
London SE1 7EH