Neuroimaging in Epilepsy.
In recent years, the field of neuroimaging has undergone dramatic development. Specifically, of importance for clinicians and researchers managing patients with epilepsies, new methods of brain imaging in search of the seizure-producing abnormalities have been implemented, and older methods have undergone additional refinement. Methodology to predict seizure freedom and cognitive outcome has also rapidly progressed. In general, the image data processing methods are very different and more complicated than even a decade ago. In this review, we identify the recent developments in neuroimaging that are aimed at improved management of epilepsy patients. Advances in structural imaging, diffusion imaging, fMRI, structural and functional connectivity, hybrid imaging methods, quantitative neuroimaging, and machine-learning are discussed. We also briefly summarize the potential new developments that may shape the field of neuroimaging in the near future and may advance not only our understanding of epileptic networks as the source of treatment-resistant seizures but also better define the areas that need to be treated in order to provide the patients with better long-term outcomes.
Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.
Erik H
EH
Middlebrooks
Department of Neurology, UAB Epilepsy Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 312, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.|University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Lawrence
L
Ver Hoef
Department of Neurology, UAB Epilepsy Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 312, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA. jszaflarski@uabmc.edu.
Jerzy P
JP
Szaflarski
D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods; D012640:Seizures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology
Diffusion MRI; EEG; Epilepsy; Neuroimaging; Seizure; fMRI