UCSF researchers enhance epilepsy surgery through better recordings

Researchers at UC San Francisco are improving epilepsy surgeries by enhancing the methods used to identify where seizures start in the brain. For people whose seizures cannot be controlled by medication, surgery might be necessary to remove damaged brain tissue. Typically, doctors implant electrodes in the brain to monitor where seizures occur. However, the spacing of these electrodes can limit the detail they gather. To address this, UCSF scientists used high-density electrode arrays that offer better resolution of electrical signals in the brain. In a recent study, they created heatmap videos of seizure activity to visualize the seizure onset zones (SOZ). The study showed that using high-density arrays led to better agreement among epilepsy specialists on where seizures began compared to lower-density arrays. Dr. Jon Kleen, a senior author of the study, stated that accurately identifying the SOZ is crucial for successful surgery. He likened the improved clarity from high-density electrodes to the transition from older TVs to high-resolution screens. Higher density means capturing more details, which is vital for identifying problematic areas in the brain. The research involved tracking patients with drug-resistant epilepsy while using both high and low-density electrode recordings. The findings suggested that high-density recordings consistently resulted in identifying larger seizure areas. This could help surgeons better plan their procedures and improve surgical outcomes. While the study showed promising results, the researchers believe more patient data is needed to confirm that higher electrode densities lead to better surgical success. They remain hopeful that this advancement will enhance the effectiveness of epilepsy surgeries.