Translation of novel imaging techniques into clinical use for patients with epilepsy

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Epilepsy is a common and serious neurological condition. A third of patients have seizures despite medication, which often arise from the temporal lobe. Surgical removal of this part of the brain can control the seizures in 60-70% but may result in impairments of memory, language, vision and mood.I will use a novel MRI brain scanning technique to look at connections between the temporal lobe and other parts of the brain to determine the effects of epilepsy and neurosurgery on these areas of the brain. Through this I will show how MRI scans before surgery can predict whether a patient will suffer these adverse consequences, so patients can be better informed when making a decision on whether to have surgery.For those deciding to have surgery, I will compare scans before surgery with those taken 3 and 12 months later to look at how the brain compensates. This information may additionally inform colleagues working in related fields such as brain injury. Finally, I will develop imaging techniques that can be used during surgery specifically to help the surgeon avoid damage to parts of the brain dealing with vision and so improve clinical outcome for the patient.