Neuroimaging Biomarker for Seizures
Abstract
Numerous Veterans and civilians have seizures, which can be epileptic or non-epileptic in nature. Epileptic seizures are caused by abnormal brain cell firing. Non-epileptic seizures appear similar to epileptic seizures, but are associated with traumatic experiences and underlying psychological stressors. Both types of seizure are common and disabling, and many patients with seizures do not have adequate control, resulting in loss of quality of life. In this proposed two-site study (Providence, RI and Birmingham, AL), which are epilepsy centers with expertise both in epilepsy and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), we will enroll 88 patients with video-EEG confirmed PNES and 88 with confirmed post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and will obtain functional neuroimaging before and after they receive a behavioral treatment – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Seizures. The functional neuroimaging studies in these 176 Veterans will be compared to 88 Veterans with traumatic brain injury without seizures to test the hypothesis that the faulty processing of emotions and stress in patients with PNES/PTE and abnormal brain connectivity have unique signals in patients with seizures compared to Veterans without seizures and that the neuroimaging signatures can be modified using behavioral intervention. Impact: This grant application for the first study investigating mechanisms of PNES and PTE will provide increased understanding of neural circuitry in PTE and PNES, which can inform PTE and PNES treatments and could change clinical neurologic and psychiatric practice for PTE and PNES.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 29, 2018
- Source ID
- W81XWH1710619
Entities
People
- William Lafrance
Organizations
- Ocean State Policy Research Institute
- United States Army