Brain Wave Changes May Help Predict Epilepsy After Malaria
Researchers followed 186 children ages 6 months to 11 years in Chipata, Zambia who had confirmed central nervous system malaria.
Imaging & EEG
This hub covers epilepsy EEG and MRI: how EEGs and brain imaging help doctors understand seizure patterns and possible causes. Clear explanations of common findings and what research suggests.
What you’ll find in this topic:
- Plain-language summaries of new epilepsy studies
- What the research means for real life
- Practical questions to ask your neurologist
- Related topics you can explore next
Imaging & EEG: What Families Usually Want to Know
- What an EEG can (and can’t) tell you
- Why EEGs can be “normal” even when seizures are real
- When MRI/other imaging matters (and what doctors look for)
- What “spikes,” “slowing,” and “epileptiform activity” mean
Common EEG & Imaging Terms in Plain English
- EEG: Measures electrical activity from the scalp (not a brain “scan”)
- Epileptiform discharges: Patterns that suggest seizure risk
- Ictal: Refers to during a seizure
- Interictal: Refers to between seizures
- Focal vs. Generalized: Pertaining to one specific spot on or network on one side of the brain vs. both sides/networks
- MRI Lesion: A structural change that might be related (not always)
Imaging & EEG FAQ
Can you have epilepsy with a normal EEG?
Yes. EEGs are a snapshot. Some people need repeat EEGs, sleep-deprived EEGs, or long-term monitoring.
Does an abnormal EEG mean someone will definitely have seizures?
Not always. It raises suspicion and risk, but diagnosis still depends on the full story.
Why do doctors order an MRI?
To look for structural causes like scars, malformations, tumors, and stroke-related changes, which can guide treatment.
What is video EEG monitoring?
An inpatient or extended study that records EEG and video together to match symptoms to brain activity.
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How COL4A1 And COL4A2 Symptoms Differ By Age
This study looked at children and teens with variants in the COL4A1 or COL4A2 genes, which are associated with a disorder that can affect the brain and other organs.
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Probiotics May Help Reduce Seizures In Some Children
This study investigated whether a daily probiotic might help children with medication-resistant epilepsy, meaning seizures were not effectively controlled by antiseizure medicines.
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EEG Findings Can Guide Epilepsy Surgery Talks By Age
This study looked at how well scalp EEG findings matched the part of the brain that was later removed in epilepsy surgery.
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Brivaracetam Shows Promise For Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
This study looked at brivaracetam (BRV) used alone as the initial seizure medicine in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME).
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | Imaging & EEG | New Studies | Pediatrics
MRI Clues Linked To Thinking Problems In Children
This exploratory pilot study looked at whether certain MRI features of a brain malformation called focal cortical dysplasia type II (FCD II) were linked with neuropsychological functioning in children and teens with pharmacoresistant epilepsy.
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Seizures Were More Common In Children With FASD
Researchers looked at epilepsy, EEG results, and brain scan findings in 103 Norwegian children diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
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Understanding Newborn Seizures Causes Signs And Treatment
This article is a review of neonatal seizures, which are seizures that happen in newborn babies.
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Genetic Testing May Improve Early Detection Of Lissencephaly
This study looked at lissencephaly, a group of brain development conditions where the brain surface is smoother than usual because nerve cells did not move to the right place during pregnancy.
