Elsevier

Neurotherapeutics

Volume 11, Issue 2, April 2014, Pages 347-357
Neurotherapeutics

Review
Neuroimaging the Epileptogenic Process

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Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological conditions worldwide. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) can suppress seizures, but do not affect the underlying epileptic state, and many epilepsy patients are unable to attain seizure control with AEDs. To cure or prevent epilepsy, disease-modifying interventions that inhibit or reverse the disease process of epileptogenesis must be developed. A major limitation in the development and implementation of such an intervention is the current poor understanding, and the lack of reliable biomarkers, of the epileptogenic process. Neuroimaging represents a non-invasive medical and research tool with the ability to identify early pathophysiological changes involved in epileptogenesis, monitor disease progression, and assess the effectiveness of possible therapies. Here we will provide an overview of studies conducted in animal models and in patients with epilepsy that have utilized various neuroimaging modalities to investigate epileptogenesis.

Key Words

Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Diffusion weighted imaging
Positron emission tomography
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
Biomarkers
Epilepsy
Epileptogenesis

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