Structural abnormalities that cause epileptic seizures are often found at the scale of cortical layers. This means they can be difficult to visually detect from conventional imaging, and even when abnormalities are visualised and removed surgically it does not always stop seizures. We have shown that ultra-high field structural MRI can help but there are still a substantial number of patients with poorly defined surgical targets. This can limit surgical success or preclude the possibility of life-changing surgery.
The overall aim of this project is to utilise the enhanced resolution and sensitivity of ultra-high field 7T MRI together with AI-based lesion detection techniques to better define epilepsy surgery targets. Uniquely, this will aim to combine functional and microstructural alterations within the cortex (2-3mm) using the new resolution available at 7T together with AI-based classification techniques.
