Research - EEG/fMRI Studies

The LSUHSC-NO Epilepsy Center is studying the application of simultaneous EEG recording and fMRI scanning in epileptic and normal populations. The EEG (electroencephalogram) is a representation of the brain's electrical activity. There are many normal, predictable patterns of electrical activity. However, persons suffering from epilepsy occasionally have abnormal electrical discharges which may or may not result in an obvious seizure. These discharges are recorded by the EEG and are generally easily detectable to the trained eye. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanning uses changes in magnetic fields to view the structure of the brain. fMRI (functional MRI) is a software modification of MRI which allows us to view changes in blood flow in the brain in response to external events (like reading a sentence) or internal events (like an abnormal electrical discharge).

The Epilepsy Center is conducting several studies using this combined technology. In normal samples, we are investigating fMRI activations of sleep and the responses to simple cognitive tasks, like counting infrequent auditory tones or completing sentences. In patients with epilepsy, we are using these procedures to track brain activity with fMRI related to interictal epileptic spike waveforms (abnormal discharges detected by the EEG which do not produce a seizure) and determine if these interictal events affect the person's ability to perform simple cognitive tasks. Each study takes about 2.5 hours for set up, scanning (45 minutes) and cleanup/debriefing. Volunteers will be compensated for their time and receive an MRI picture of their brain.

*These studies have been postponed while new equipment is ordered and installed.